Season 1 Episode 2

Dr Kershen Pillay on corporate governance and speaking up under pressure

11 November 2026 · 26:56 min

Corporate governance is tested when speaking up carries real consequences. Dr Kershen Pillay, CEO of the Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences, explains why.

Pillay discusses what good governance should look like beyond policies and reporting structures, and why leadership under pressure often… exposes whether accountability systems actually work.

He also recounts GIFS’ dispute with INSETA, including concerns the organisation raised around certification delays, governance processes, accreditation, and the court action that followed. Pillay explains why GIFS chose to continue challenging the institution despite the commercial consequences and reflects on the role of whistleblowers, civil society, business, and government in demanding accountability.

The conversation also explores what responsible leadership means in practice and why values, moral courage, and a willingness to speak up remain central to rebuilding trust in South Africa’s institutions.

0:00 Intro
1:10 What good corporate governance really means
4:51 The responsibility to speak up
7:14 Why GIFS took a stand
12:40 Governance concerns and court action
18:39 What accountability looks like
24:15 Lessons for South African leaders

Follow BusinessTech:
X - https://twitter.com/businesstechSA
Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/BusinessTechSA
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/businesstechsa
Website - https://businesstech.co.za/news/

#CorporateGovernance #Leadership #Accountability Show more