Ramani Naidoo’s Corporate Governance – An Essential Guide for Companies (4^th Edition) is, in many respects, a fundamentally new work rather than a routine update.

What distinguishes this edition is its clear recognition that governance failures are no longer isolated or jurisdiction specific, but systemic and increasingly global in nature. While firmly grounded in South African law and frameworks, the book deliberately integrates global best practices throughout the text, not as peripheral case studies, but as embedded reference points that allow directors, officers and practitioners to situate their governance frameworks and decisions within an international context.

The restructured format — particularly the inclusion of Disruptive Governance — is both timely and necessary. The expanded focus on technology, AI, cybersecurity, digitisation, ESG, stakeholder governance and ethical leadership reflects the realities boards now face, rather than the ones they were trained for a decade ago. This is so much more than governance theory. What I particularly value is the book’s practical orientation: current data and guidance on real boardroom dilemmas such as director independence, accountability versus responsibility, the importance and use of digitised governance frameworks, and when resignation becomes the appropriate governance response – all supported by up to date, real-life case studies. These are questions practitioners grapple with daily.

The inclusion of limited free access to the AI governance companion is a genuinely exciting development and, to my knowledge, a world first for a governance text. It transforms the book from a static reference into a living governance tool. Rather than simply explaining principles, it allows boards and practitioners to engage with them dynamically, test scenarios, and translate governance frameworks into practical, day-to-day decision-making. In that sense, this book does not merely sit on a shelf. It lives, evolves and responds to the realities of modern governance.

Having had the privilege of contributing to the governance framework of an organisation — including the importance of its digitisation – as well as acting as a referee on the 3^rd and 4^th editions, I see this work as an important bridge: moving governance from static codes and disclosure towards capability, execution and, increasingly, real-time digitised oversight.

This is an essential reference for directors, executives, company secretaries and governance professionals operating in an increasingly complex, interconnected and technology-driven governance environment. An earlier edition of this book was once referred to as a “stay out of jail free card”. This edition is that and so much more.

Terry Booysen
Chief Executive Officer
CGF Research Institute (Pty) Ltd