Risk Report 26/27

Report is now available 

The IRMSA Risk Report 2026/27 is the document your board,  your team,  and your risk function need to be reading right now.

This isn't a report you read once and file. It's a working document. Use it to stress-test your risk register. Use it in your next board conversation. Use it to challenge assumptions that haven't been updated in years.
 

DOWNLOAD THE IRMSA RISK REPORT 2026

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The organisations that will navigate 2026 well are the ones where risk intelligence reaches the right people at the right time. If you know a board member,  executive,  or risk professional who should be reading this,  forward it on.

The IRMSA Risk Report is most powerful when it's part of a shared conversation, it is not a solo read. UmphakatiVuka.

THE EVENT

Why you cannot afford to miss the launch.

This is not a conference you can catch on replay. It is the one moment in South Africa's risk calendar where the country's foremost leaders gather to interrogate the findings and map a collective response.

Meet the Speakers

Katherine Gibson

Katherine is a Deputy Commissioner at the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, with oversight of regulatory policy and enforcement. An economist with experience in trade and competition policy, Katherine worked with South Africa’s National Treasury for more than a decade as part of its financial sector reform programme, to develop the conduct “peak” of South Africa’s twin peaks framework. She has been with the FSCA since its establishment in April 2018.

Katherine is an advocate for transformative gender equality in the workplace.

To unwind she enjoys cooking for lazy afternoon lunches with family and friends, reading novels to learn about others, and trail running.

Parmi Natesan

Parmi Natesan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA). A qualified Chartered Accountant and Chartered Director (SA), she is a recognised authority on corporate governance and serves as an Executive Director on the IoDSA Board. She also chairs the Council of St Peter’s College and previously served as a non-executive director on the boards of PPS Holdings Trust and Alviva Holdings.

Parmi represents the IoDSA on several key bodies including the King Committee (currently overseeing the release of the King V report), the Integrated Reporting Committee of South Africa, the 30% Club, and the Global Network of Director Institutes. She has received numerous accolades for her leadership and ethical governance, including recognition from SAICA, the World Women Leadership Congress, and the Nelson Mandela University.

Ansie Ramalho

As a leading authority on corporate governance, Ansie Ramalho has played an instrumental role in shaping South Africa’s governance landscape. She was involved in the editing of King III, had led the development of the King IV and King V Report and continues to champion governance that supports sustainable economic and social outcomes.

A lawyer by training and a Chartered Director (SA), Ansie serves as a professional non-executive director and sits on several key bodies, including the Financial Reporting Standards Council and the Integrated Reporting Committee of South Africa.

Mpho Molopyane

Mpho Molopyane is the Chief Economist at Alexforbes. She is responsible for formulating the macroeconomic strategy for Alexforbes and identifying macroeconomic risks and opportunities related to investments.

Mpho has extensive experience covering macroeconomic research in the finance and public sectors. She previously served as a Senior Economist at Absa, overseeing economic research for multiple African economies. Her earlier roles include serving as an Economist at Rand Merchant Bank, focusing on the South African market, as well as positions at National Treasury and Standard Bank.

Mpho is a regular commentator on television and radio, providing macroeconomic insights on business shows.

Mpho holds a Master’s degree in Econometrics from the University of Pretoria, and a Three-Continent Master’s Degree in Global Management from Fordham University, New York City. She completed her BCom and BCom (Honours) in Economics at the University of Pretoria.

Senele Mbatha

Senele Mbatha is the Group Chief Risk Officer at Discovery Limited, where he is responsible for strengthening the Group’s resilience, shaping its strategic risk agenda, and ensuring long-term sustainability in an increasingly complex operating environment. He also leads the Group’s Climate Change function, driving the integration of climate-related risks and opportunities into Discovery’s strategy and decision-making processes.

With a distinguished career spanning finance, risk, and executive leadership, Senele previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Discovery Vitality South Africa and Chief Financial Officer of AIG Sub-Saharan Africa. His unique combination of financial acumen, commercial insight, and risk expertise enables him to provide balanced, forward-looking perspectives that support sound business decisions and sustainable growth.

Recognised for his ability to simplify complexity and navigate uncertainty with clarity, Senele partners closely with business leaders to build resilience, unlock opportunities, and enhance organisational performance. His leadership style is grounded in analytical rigor, authenticity, and collaboration, reflecting his belief that effective risk management is not about avoiding risk, but about enabling innovation, sustainable growth, and long-term value creation.

Lerato Phasha

Lerato Phasha is the Portfolio Head for Municipal Finance and Revenue Enhancement at the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). She is a finance professional and researcher with over a decade of experience in financial management, policy development, and banking in both private and public sectors. Phasha holds an MBA and multiple qualifications in auditing and finance. Her work focuses on municipal fiscal policy, infrastructure planning, and improving access to capital for local government service delivery. She has been actively involved in advocating for increased funding and capacity building to enhance the financial sustainability of municipalities, addressing issues like inadequate funding, high unemployment, poverty, and inefficiencies in revenue collection.

UMPHAKATHIVUKA

The community awakens.

Risk is not abstract. It lives in communities, in households, in the spaces between policy and people. UmphakathiVuka is both a diagnosis and a directive. The IRMSA Risk Report 2026 calls on every institution, every leader, and every organisation to wake up, rise up, and act together.

"Wisdom is like a baobab tree. You cannot embrace it alone."

   African proverb, IRMSA Risk Report 2025/6

GET THE REPORT

Not attending? You can still be first to read the findings.

Pre-register now and receive the IRMSA Risk Report 2026/7 in your inbox on launch day. Free.

What pre-registrants receive

* Full report delivered on launch day

* Pre-launch insights and stat previews

* First access to event seat availability

* Ongoing IRMSA intelligence updates