King William’s Town

The 2026 National Budget marks a decisive shift from crisis containment to fiscal consolidation, with meaningful implications for South African businesses operating in a constrained growth environment, says Etienne Raubenheimer, Executive Head of CFO services at Outsourced CFO (OCFO), a global financial consulting and accounting firm headquartered in Cape Town. Following Wednesday’s budget speech delivered by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana to Parliament, Raubenheimer highlights several key points that will affect businesses in South Africa. “The most immediate impact for small and medium-sized enterprises is the increase in the compulsory VAT registration threshold from R1 million to R2.3 million”, says Raubenheimer. “For many growing businesses, VAT registration brings administrative complexity, additional compliance costs and tighter cash flow management. Raising the threshold reduces this burden and allows smaller operators to scale before entering the VAT net.” Raubenheimer points out that this adjustment is significant. “Increasing the VAT threshold recognises that the cost of doing business has risen materially over recent years. It gives smaller enterprises breathing room, improves cash flow flexibility and reduces compliance pressure at a critical stage of growth.” Equally important is the decision to withdraw R20 billion in previously proposed tax increases following stronger-than-expected revenue performance. For business owners who were anticipating higher tax obligations, this provides welcome certainty and preserves working capital. The adjustment of personal income tax brackets and rebates fully in line with inflation will also support household disposable income, indirectly benefiting consumer-facing sectors. The Budget also enhances exit and succession planning for entrepreneurs. The capital gains tax exemption for the sale of small businesses by older individuals increases from R1.8 million to R2.7 million, and the qualifying …

Outsourced CFO (OCFO) has announced that it will host its annual Scale-Up Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, on Thursday, 19 March 2026. The in-person event, taking place at Innovation City, will bring together founders, executives, entrepreneurs and advisors for an evening of focused discussion on what it truly takes to scale a business sustainably. OCFO is a leading financial strategy and cloud accounting firm headquartered in Cape Town. The firm provides fractional CFO services, cloud accounting implementation and strategic finance advisory to growth-focused businesses locally and internationally. By partnering with entrepreneurs and executive teams, the firm helps strengthen financial visibility, improve governance and build the systems required for sustainable, long-term growth. Against this backdrop, the conference seeks to address a central question facing business leaders today: how can growth be achieved without compromising financial stability, operational control or long-term value? While the Scale-Up Conference is particularly relevant to businesses navigating expansion, it is equally valuable to founders in the earlier stages of their journey. Establishing strong financial systems, clear reporting structures and disciplined decision-making from the outset can materially reduce friction later. By understanding the principles of scale early, founders are better positioned to build companies that are resilient, fundable and capable of sustainable growth. Louw Barnardt, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of OCFO, said the firm continues to observe that scaling challenges often stem from foundations that were never properly laid. “Founders are naturally focused on winning customers and proving their model in the early days,” said Barnardt. “That drive is essential. However, if financial visibility, governance and internal accountability are treated as secondary, those gaps become far more costly during periods of growth. The purpose of …

Outsourced CFO (OCFO) will participate as a sponsor at the 2026 The Lekker Network Summit, taking place on 11 and 12 March 2026 at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West, just outside Cape Town. The two-day summit marks the first anniversary of The Lekker Network community and will bring together 300 South Africans from across 32 countries for a programme centred on insight, connection and shared impact. OCFO’s involvement forms part of its broader commitment to supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems and engaging meaningfully with growth-focused business leaders. As one of the sponsors of the summit, the company will play an active role in the Padel Tournament on Day Two, providing prizes and connecting with attendees during what is expected to be a lively and well-attended activity. The tournament sits within a wider programme of keynote sessions, fireside conversations, curated member discussions and outdoor experiences. Louw Barnardt, Co-Founder and MD at OCFO, said the firm values opportunities to contribute to communities where ambitious founders gather. “The Lekker Network has built a strong global community of South Africans who are serious about building businesses and supporting one another,” said Barnardt. “For us, being involved is about showing up, adding value and strengthening relationships within that ecosystem.” In addition to its involvement in the Padel Tournament, OCFO will contribute to the summit’s content programme. Ayanda Vabaza-Mvandaba, Non-Executive Director at OCFO, will facilitate an interactive workshop during the event. “Many founders treat their bank balance like a countdown clock rather than a dashboard,” said Vabaza-Mvandaba. “This workshop focuses on moving from ‘Growth at all costs’ to ‘Capital efficiency.’” Barnardt said the firm’s participation reflects its belief that sustainable growth requires both strong financial systems and collaborative networks. “Scaling a business successfully requires more than …