10 Years Highlights
First Tribunal members
The Tribunal started operating fully in 2013/14 financial year where employees were appointed to assist Tribunal members who had started adjudicating cases. In its first the six months of its operation in 2012, the Tribunal received a total of 191 cases.
The first group of members (from left to right): Prof. Piet Delport, Khatija Tootla, Khashane Manamela, the late Nomcebo Zondi, Randall Williams, Matshego Ramagaga (Deputy Chairperson), the late Adv Simmy Lebala, SC (former Chairperson), Lucia Gass and Agnes Tsele-Maseloanyane.
First Staff members
These are amongst the first staff members who joined the Tribunal between 2013 and 2014. Out of the ten, only Mr. Simukele Khoza and Mr. Dumisani Mthalane are still working at the Tribunal.
The first staff members (from left to right, back row): Simukele Khoza, Johnny Ndala, Douglas Mokaba, Curtis Mbhalati. Front (from left to right, front row): Tebogo Mputle, Lydia Mabele, Lyla Sadick, Agnes Tsele-Maseloanyane and Nokwazi Nzuza.
First Tribunal seminar
In 2015 the Tribunal hosted its first seminar aimed at raising awareness about its work at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg. The seminar was an information-sharing platform that focussed on key areas of interest identified as part of the implementation of the Companies Act, 2008. Amongst the Key Speakers was Justice Abrey Ledwaba, the then Deputy Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court.
Some of the delegates that attended the first Tribunal seminar
Judge Abrey Ledwaba delivering a speech on Strengthening the culture of resolving dispute through mediation- the new court mediation rules.
The first seminar was a success, it was time to take the Tribunal to the people. The Tribunal later participated at the Education and Awareness workshops in Bronkhorstspruit, Modjadji, Sedibeng and Watville.
Bufalo City Metro Municipality Business Workshop
Tribunal partnered with Buffalo City Metro Municipality (BCMM) and hosted its first public awareness workshop outside Gauteng province, this business workshop attracted business formations, SMMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs in Buffalo City Municipality in the Eastern Cape province.
Some of the delegates who attended the first Tribunal workshop outside Gauteng province
Takeover Regulation Panel Seminar
The Tribunal was invited to present at the Takeover Regulation Panel Seminar in Sandton. It was represented by the then Full-time Tribunal member, Ms Agnes Tsele-Maseloanyane.
Ms Agnes Tsele-Maseloanyane (centre) who presented at the TRP seminar
International Company Law Symposium
The Tribunal participated at the International Company Law Symposium, which was organized by the dtic, it aimed at soliciting views from stakeholders in order to make input towards the Companies Act Amendment Bill.
Members of the Companies Tribunal with professor Tshepo Mongalo at the center
Seminar on the Social and Ethics Committees (SECs)
The dtic and the Tribunal hosted a Seminar to discuss how SECs are implemented in various companies with special emphasis on their impact, more particularly their interaction with communities in which companies operate, contribution to corporate sustainability and their broader functions as stipulated in Regulation 43 of the Companies Act. This was another major seminar the Tribunal participated in, it aimed at encouraging activism and accountability of stakeholders such as labour, consumers and SEC members. It also aimed to enhance and raise awareness about the impact of SECs in South Africa as well as provide inputs towards the development of generic guidelines into how SECs should be implemented. Various experts, NGOs and public and private sector role players are invited to share their experience, knowledge and expertise in the field
Some of the key delegates who participated at the seminar
Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber Workshop
The workshop with the Nelson Mandela Bay Chamber (NMBC) was held in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape province in March 2017. The workshop demonstrated the need for the Tribunal raise awareness to stakeholders outside of Gauteng province.
The late Adv. Simmy Lebala, SC addressing Members of the NMBC
Donation of Computer Assets at Magudu Primary School
As part of giving back to communities, the Tribunal donated desktop computers and laptops at Magudu Primary School in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in Mpumalanga province. This act of goodwill was aimed at ensuring that learners gain knowledge about the use of computers at an early age.
Tribunal Management and staff donating computer assets at Magudu Primary School in Bushbuckridge
eNCA and SABC TV Interview
The country and the world over was engulfed by the scourge of Covid-19 in 2020, the pandemic presented an opportunity for the Tribunal to secure its first TV interviews on eNCA, channel 403 and on SABC TV news channel 404. Then Chairperson, Dr Mohamed Alli Chicktay, conducted the interviews, where he was urging companies to use services of the Companies Tribunal which are quick and free of charge, given the difficulties companies were experiencing during Covid-19.
Former Chairperson (right), Dr Mohamed Chicktay interviewed by Mr Dan Moyane on eNCA
Launch of the Case Management System (CMS)
Another important highlight was the launch of the CMS, to ensure better management of cases and allow clients to file applications online. This meant that Applicants do not have to come to Pretoria to file applications but can do so wherever they are using any portable device. Amongst the benefits of the CMC is; online tracking and review of the case status, effective communication and collaboration between parties and case administrator (Registry team). The CMS became very useful for clients during Covid-19 because of restrictions in relation to physical contact. To view the CMS click here
Seminar on legislative shortcomings in implementing the Tribunal’s mandate
The Tribunal in partnership with the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Mercantile Law hosted a seminar on legislative shortcomings in implementing the Tribunal’s mandate on 5 March 2021 at Gordon’s Institute of Business Science (GIBBS). This was the first seminar of its kind, where majority of the delegates attended virtually to comply with COVID-19 regulations imposed by the Government. It was aimed at engaging stakeholders on amongst others; practical problems relating to adjudication and the alternative dispute resolution functions of the Companies Tribunal. Speakers comprised of company law heavy weights like Dr Mohamed Alli Chicktay, former Tribunal’s Chairperson, Prof Munyai, UP’s HOD for Mercantile Law, Prof Michael Katz from ENS Africa, Prof Piet Delport, Prof Boraine, Dr Labuschagne, Dr van Wyk, Dr Scott, all from UP and Matshego Ramagaga the veteran Attorney and former Tribunal member.
Some of the delegates who attended the seminar physically
Farewell to Tribunal members
We bid farewell to our former Chairperson, Dr Mohamed Chicktay, whose term came to an end together with other Tribunal members who served the Tribunal since inception. These members were, Ms Matshego Ramagaga, Ms Lucia Glass, Ms Khatija Tootla, Prof. Piet Delport and Mr Khashane Manamela. They served the Tribunal with distinction and left behind a great legacy. Mr Lindelani was appointed as interim Chairperson.
Former Tribunal members (from left to right): Adv Ishara Bodasing, Lindelani Sikhitha, Lucia Glass, Matshego Ramagaga and Khatija Tootla
Judge Dennis Davis appointed Chairperson of the Companies Tribunal
Later in 2022, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Ebrahim Patel appointed Judge Dennis Davis Chairperson of the Tribunal, Ms. Mina Tong-Mongalo, his Deputy Chairperson together with nine other members.
New Tribunal members who were appointed in 2022
The financial year 2023/24 saw an increase in the number of public awareness campaigns the Tribunal participated in. These include amongst others, exhibiting at major events like Buy Local Summit in Sandton, BRICS TIKZN Tradeshow in Durban, Rand Easter Show, Implementation and operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) Agreement workshops in various provinces.