Browsing by Author "Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis."

Now showing 1 - 11 of 11

Accounting and finance professionals’ perception on the current state of the accountancy profession in South Africa.
(2022) Mdhluli, Sthandiwe Charity Kholiwe.; Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.
Background: Accountants, auditors, and other finance professionals have traditionally been well respected and held in high regard by the public. They are regarded as financial reporting overseers because they are responsible for ensuring that organisations follow relevant regulations and financial laws. Globally, accounting and finance professions have been tarnished by scandals involving intentional manipulation of financial information. The professional ethics of finance professionals are under scrutiny by the concerned public at large. The importance of ethics to accounting professionals stems from the need to make ethical decisions on a regular basis. This study is informed by the repercussions of these scandals and how they have influenced the public view of the profession. Purpose and method: The study investigates how South African accounting and finance professionals perceive their ethical knowledge, compatriots’ ethical responsibility and the role of the professional bodies in maintaining ethical responsibility. The study adopted a quantitative approach using systematic sampling. The population of the study comprises 165 accounting and finance professionals at government, corporate institutions and audit firms. An anonymous online questionnaire was the instrument used for the collection of data. Main Finding: The study found that the majority of accountants and finance professionals agree in general that they perceive themselves to have a strong knowledge of ethics. They also perceive their fellow accounting and finance professionals to be ethically responsible. It also found that being a member of professional accounting bodies also influences on the ethical behaviour and professional conduct of accounting and finance professionals. The majority of accountants and finance professionals agree in general that they face a considerable amount of pressure to compromise on ethics Conclusion: The current level of ethical knowledge of accounting and finance professionals must be maintained and improved upon via training programmes such as the continuous professional development programme. Improved knowledge of ethics can reduce perceived pressures to compromise on ethics among accounting and finance professionals. Based on this contribution, this study further concluded that accounting and finance professionals should improve their ethical knowledge in order to reduce their perceived pressures to compromise on ethics.
The accounting firms' managers' and trainees' perceptions of Chartered Accountancy Profession Charter in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2019) Nxumalo, Bhekikhaya Henry.; Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.
The aim of B-BBEE initiatives in the CA Sector is therefore to significantly increase the number of Black People who manage, own and control enterprises in the sector as well as to contribute to decreases in income inequalities in the country in general. This is to be achieved by means of an integrated and coherent socio-economic process that directly contributes to the economic transformation of South Africa. Within the CA Sector, the first step and primary focus will be on dramatically increasing the numbers of all Black participants (Africans, Indians and Coloureds) and particularly African CA(SA)s. (CA Charter, 2018). The purpose of this study was to determine the accounting firm’s managers and trainees perceptions of Chartered Accountancy Profession Charter in KwaZulu – Natal, South Africa and to examine the relationship between the accounting firms’ managers’ and trainees’ perceptions of Chartered Accountancy Profession Charter in KwaZulu–Natal and demographic variables such as age, gender and race. The setting for this study is accounting firms in KwaZulu–Natal. A systematic sampling was used. The responses of 30 accounting firm’s managers and 73 trainees were analyzed. Both managers and trainees perceived the seven key elements (ownership, management control, employment equity, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise development and socio-economic development) of B-BBEE important in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Ownership, employment equity and enterprise development were rated highly by trainees, while ownership, management control and employment equity were highly rated by managers. In terms of gender, both males and females rated higher management control. Males rated lower in socio-economic development while females rated lower preferential procurement. The variation and ratings were found of how managers and trainees view the importance of B-BBEE elements but all the variations were positive. This research finding requires the accounting profession to recognize B-BBEE ratings by managers and trainees as this will assist accounting profession in complying with the CA Charter. Incongruities between managers and trainees perceptions of the CA Charter call for the accounting profession to conduct awareness in all the accounting firms in KwaZulu-Natal.
Analysing the perceived leadership skills and competencies required by project managers in KwaZulu-Natal Sappi Saiccor.
(2024) Muthwa, Nkosinathi Clive.; Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.
Leadership is described as the procedure by which a person seeks to persuade other group members to achieve collective goals. Leadership is also considered as a procedure by which individuals bring out the greatest qualities in themselves and others. The aim of the research was to analyse the leadership skills and competencies required for managing projects in KwaZulu-Natal Sappi Saiccor. A quantitative method was done to achieve the research's aims. Convenience sampling method was used to collect data by distributing questionnaires to 72 Sappi Saiccor employees who are working within targeted selected departments. Out of the 72 employees, 55 of them participated on this study. This translated to 76% participance response rate which is regarded to be high enough for validity and reliability of the results. The data received were examined utilising statistical software. The first objective was to determine managers perceptions and the leadership competencies required by project managers in KZN Sappi Saiccor. The research found that there is a statistically significant difference among managers perceptions and leadership competencies required by project managers at KZN Sappi Saiccor. The second objective was to examine managers perceptions and leadership skills required by project managers in KZN Sappi Saiccor. The study found that there is a statistically significant difference among managers perceptions and leadership skills required by project managers in KZN Sappi Saiccor. The third objective was to examine different leadership styles and their effect on successful execution of project in KZN Sappi Saiccor. The study found that there is a statistically significant difference among leadership styles and their effect on successful execution of projects in KZN Sappi Saiccor. The fourth objective was to examine the relationship between leadership skills and competencies and demographic variable. These outcomes demonstrate that just the characteristics of managers’ perceptions (cognitive activation and personalised attention) clarify variations in leadership competencies, alongside cognitive activation being of greater importance. Research suggests that national culture significantly impacts the efficiency of leadership. According to the literature, a leader's skills have a significant impact on worker competencies. Leadership skills influence competencies to varied degrees. Research suggests that leadership skills lead to greater competencies. Research keywords: Leadership skills, competencies, leadership styles, projects management, managers perception.
The corporate governance practices of audit committees in the KwaZulu-Natal local government municipalities.
(2020) Mqadi, Siphiwe Freddy.; Nomlala, Bomi Cyril.; Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.
For several decades, the Audit Committee has been a subject of substantial research interest in developed countries, including the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Australia. However, in emerging economies, Audit Committee remains a relatively new topic with their current practices not ideal for municipalities to fully benefit from them, as their contribution remains an illusion to communities. The problem derived from the comprehensive academic literature is that Audit Committees in the public sector are not deemed to be an effective instrument (governance structure) of the governing body because the practices culminating in good corporate governance are not understood and supported by the governing bodies, or that the Audit Committees themselves are not cognisant of their practices, are not effectively constituted, or take on responsibilities outside of their remit. The study investigates the corporate governance practices of Audit Committees in KwaZulu-Natal local government municipalities, a public sector sphere. The primary data was collected through questionnaire surveys and supplemented with semistructured interview surveys from four distinct (although significant) sample groups (i.e., Audit Committee Chairpersons, Municipal Managers, Chief Financial Officers, and Internal Auditors). The study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach. Data were analysed using -Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for quantitative data Semi-structured interviews were transcribed and analysed qualitatively. The study emphasises the effectiveness of Audit Committee, which can execute its oversight role and responsibilities in relation to the quality of audit in the public sector. More specifically, the observations made in the study include: The lack of guidelines on minimum expertise (qualifications and “appropriate experience”) of Audit Committee members in the legislation creates room for wrong persons to be Audit Committee members; communities in KwaZulu-Natal local government have little to no knowledge of Audit Committees and their oversight roles; the municipal administration does not provide proper support for Audit Committees to discharge their duties; and although the Audit Committees are playing an essential role in some areas including financial reporting, external auditing, and internal auditing, there is a still considerate scope where the Audit Committees can play a more proactive and robust role. The study concludes by accentuating the need for Audit Committee effectiveness in KwaZulu-Natal local government, which includes: The adoption of a corporate governance framework (based on standardised sound governance principles) that will address the uniqueness of the local government sphere through a code of corporate governance and a corporate governance framework; strengthen municipal leadership to ensure that leaders possess official skills to enable them to realise the vision of the institution; promulgation of codes of ethics for local government to deal with problems of ethics, transparency, and accountability, and offer measures on non-compliance to this code of ethics; making financial sustainability center-stage of each municipality; and implementation of the municipal intervention (including local participatory governance) in a way it was initially conceived and written.
The impact of tax planning and corporate governance on firms’ value in East Africa.
(2022) Kimea, Alfred James.; Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.
The study investigated the impact of tax planning on the value of listed firms in East African countries (EACs). Further, it examined the moderating influence of corporate governance on the relationship between tax planning and firm value. The data collected involved 99 firms listed on the capital markets of three EACs: Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. The study used unbalanced panel data reflecting twelve years from 2008 to 2019. The research had four separate objectives. Regarding the first objective, the empirical findings revealed the existence of tax planning activities amongst the firms listed in EACs. The results showed a gradual increase in the tax planning activities in EACs during the twelve years represented. The study’s findings concerning the second objective showed that firm size, profitability, and age significantly influenced the level of tax planning in EACs. Moreover, these results suggested that large, more profitable, and older firms were less tax aggressive. Regarding corporate governance mechanisms, the findings were that large board size, an increase in directors’ compensations and ownership concentration increased the tax planning aggressiveness of the firms. The results further demonstrated that specific institutional arrangements in a country, such as management quality, culture, regulations, ethics and auditing quality, significantly impacted the firms' tax planning activities. Regarding the third objective, the findings showed that tax planning negatively impacted firm value. Lastly, concerning the fourth objective, the results established that the strength of corporate governance had a significant moderating influence on the relationship between tax planning and firm value. The study concludes that firms that engage in better tax planning practices can generate higher firm value when good corporate governance systems are in place. The researcher recommends higher transparency in firms’ tax-planning activities because they can potentially increase a firm's value. The study contributes to knowledge since there is a general dearth of published research studies that estimate the associations between tax planning, corporate governance and firm value in emerging economies. This thesis makes several recommendations from the study concerning tax planning activities to guide governments, managers, practitioners and shareholders of firms in emerging economies.
Markets' reaction to financial restatements of the Top 40 JSE listed companies.
(2022) Jwara, Nomthandazo Consolatrix.; Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.; Nxumalo, Bhekikhaya Henry.
There has been a rapid growth of financial restatements. This concerns the investors about the integrity and reliability of the entity’s financial reporting environment and restatements negatively affecting market reactions. Numerous listed companies are restating their financial statements due to inaccurate or misleading information in the previously published financial reports. JSE requires listed firms to correct and amend incomplete or misleading information. A survey on the market reaction around announcements of financial restatements of JSE companies has been a concern and interest to investors, management, and any other concerned parties. As a result, the aim was to examine the causes of financial restatements of the listed top 40 companies in South Africa and establish the markets’ reaction. The study involved the top 40 companies listed on the JSE from 2007 to 2019. The study collected secondary data and the population of thirty-two events was pulled from the JSE SENS. A sample size equaled the entire population of thirty-two events. The window period included 10 days before the announcements, the day of the announcement, and 10 days after the announcement. The IBM SPSS Statistics 27, the statistics software, was used to analyse data. The results indicated a total of thirty-two restatements over a period of thirteen years. The year 2019 was the period that reported the most restatements. Causes of restatements were found to be accounting errors, adoption of the new standard, accounting irregularities, and change in accounting policy. A substantial number of restatements were due to accounting errors. A majority of companies experienced growth in share price on the 10th day after the announcement. Nonetheless, when all days within the window period were included in the analyses, the overall calculation indicated that companies experienced an average decline of - 7.55% in the share price after the announcement. The empirical findings confirm that markets react negatively to the restatements since a significant number of companies exhibited an average decline in share price after the announcement.
The role of pervasive skills in the academic and professional preparation of Accounting students in the University of KwaZulu-Natal=Iqhaza lokwandiswa kwamakhono emfundo ephakeme kanye nokulungiselelwa ngobungcweti kwabafundi abafunda isifundo esibhekene nezezimali eNyuvesi yaKwaZulu-Natali.
(2022) Mhlongo, Favourite.; Sibanda, Mabutho.; Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.
The accounting profession has changed dramatically over the past few years. Some perceive the changes that have taken place to have possibly resulted in an added focus on pervasive (or soft skills) in the profession. However, an expectation gap still exists between what employers of accounting graduates and what graduates have to offer in terms of pervasive skills is revealed in several studies. Hence, the pressure on the accounting academic programme to produce employment-ready, professional, and flexible graduates is increasing as various stakeholders, including employers and professional bodies, make more calls. Various Higher education institutions in South Africa that offer SAICA accredited accounting qualifications have responded to the concerns by implementing various interventions designed to ensure that accounting students as aspirant chartered accountants are equipped with skills, both technical and pervasive, necessary for them to be work-ready for a professional accounting environment and also achieve the best possible academic performance. Despite that, research studies indicate that employers of accounting graduates believe that accounting graduates still enter the job market with a poor command of pervasive skills and are ‘not job-ready.’ Following a case study design, using the mixed-methods approach, this study addressed the aim of the study through five research questions. Firstly, it explored the factors that have resulted in pervasive skills coming to the fore in the accounting profession in the recent past, guided by the Human Capital Theory. Furthermore, it sought to determine which of the selected pervasive skills were rated highly for securing entry-level employment in the field by two critical stakeholders, the accounting students, and academics in the professional academic programme. Additionally, the study investigated the factors that hinder or promote the development of pervasive skills by accounting students from Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological theoretical lens. Lastly, the influence of the selected pervasive skills on the work readiness and academic performance of accounting students aspiring to be chartered accountants was explored. From the results, it emerged that several factors have resulted in pervasive skills coming to the fore, including globalization and increased competition. It also emerged that there were similarities and differences in the rating of the selected pervasive skills by accounting students and academics. For instance, both cohorts of respondents believed critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills are important for entry-level employment in the accounting profession. The results also showed that the factors that affect the development of pervasive skills by accounting students are multifaceted and include a range of person, process, context, and time-based factors. The selected pervasive skills were also discovered to have a significant association with the accounting students’ work-readiness and academic performance in the professional degree. These findings motivate the continued prioritization of pervasive skills by SAICA-accredited accounting programmes in South Africa, as suggested by the CA2025 project, particularly in the current era marked by global economies, increased use of technology, and shifting accounting/audit client demands. Additionally, based on the findings, the continuous emphasis on pervasive skills is justified, as these skills have a favourable influence on the academic performance and work readiness of accounting students striving toward becoming chartered accountants. Iqoqa Isifundo ngezezimali sesishintshe isibhudukani emva kweminyaka embalwa edlule. Abanye bakubuka lokhu kushintsha okwenzekile kwaba nomphumela ekugxileni kokwandisa amakhono angatheni okhalweni lobungcweti. Onalokhu engqondweni, isifundo ngezezimali ezinhlelweni zemfundo ephakeme siyazama ukukhiqiza asebekulungele ukusebenza, ubungcweti kanye namathwasa agobekayo esifundweni sezezimali njengoba abaneqhaza ngokwehlukana, kufaka abaqashi kanye nezigungu zezingcweti, zihlaba ikhwelo kakhulu. Kulandela lolu hlelo lokufunda oluyisiqopho kanye nezindlela ezixubile zokwenza, lokhu okufundwayo kulungisa izinhloso zokufundwayo ngemibuzo yocwaningo emihlanu. Okokuqala, luhlola izimbangela ezibenomphumela ekwandiseni amakhono avele obala ebungcwetini besifundo sokubala izimali, kuholwa injululwazi yeHuman Capital. Phezu kwalokho, sifuna ukuqinisekisa ukuthi kwakhethiwe amakhono andiswayo imaphi alinganiselwe phezulu ukugcina izinga lokungena mayelana nokuqashwa kulomkhakha ngabathile abaneqhaza, izitshudeni zalesi sifundo ezilangazelele ukuba ongcweti kwezokubala izimali kanye nakubafundisi bemfundo ephakeme. Ukunezezela, lokhu okufundwayo kwaphenya izimbangela ezithinta ukuthuthuka kwamakhono andiswayo izitshudeni zesifundo sokubala izimali kusukela ngehlo lobunjululwazi bukaBronfunbrenner’s Bioecological. Okokugcina, yaphenya ukusondelana phakathi kwalamakhono kanye nokulunga komsebenzi wezitshudeni zesifundo sokubala izimali kanye nokwenza emfundweni ephakeme. Kusukela emiphumelweni, kwavumbuka izimbangela ezimbalwa emakhonweni andiswayo avele obala, kufaka okomhlaba kanye nokwanda kokuncintisana. Kuphinde kuqhamuke ukuthi nhlangothi zombili zethimba labaphendulile bakholelwa ekucabangeni okujulile, ukuxhumana, kanye namakhono okuxazulula izinkinga abalulekile ezingeni lokungena ngokuqashwa kulo bungcweti bokubala izimali. Imiphumela ikhomba ukuthi izimbangela zokuthuthukiswa kokwandiswa kwamakhono ngabafundi besifundo sokubala izimali amacala maningi kanye nokufaka abantu ngokuhluka, umzuliswano, indawosimo kanye nezimbangela ezigxile ngesikhathi. Amakhono andiswayo akhethiwe kwatholakala ukuthi anokubaluleka kokuhlangana nabafundi balesi sifundo mayelana nokulungela umsebenzi kanye nokwenza ngokwemfundo ephakeme eziqwini zobungcweti. Lokhu okutholakele kugqugquzela ukuqhutshwa kokubekwa phambili kwamakhono andiswayo abe-SAICA abagunyazwe ngokwezinhlelo zokubala izimali eNingizimu Afrikha njengoba kwaphakanyiswa inhloso yeCA2025, kakhulukazi kulesi sikhathi esigxivizwe umkhakha wezezimali umhlabawonke, ukwandisa ukusetshenziswa kwezobuchwepheshe, nokuqhubezela izidingo zamakhasimende kwezokubalwa nokucwaninga amabhuku.
A study of managerial competencies required by managers to effectively manage diversity in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2010) Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.; Perumal, Sadhasivan.
Background: There is a shortage of Black chartered accountants, with some progress being made in transforming the industry. Accounting firm managers must be prepared to effectively manage the increasing diversity of the profession. Methods: The primary objectives of the study are to determine the KZN accounting firms' managers' and trainees' perceptions of diversity management in the accountancy profession; to determine the KZN accounting firms' managers' and trainees' perceptions of the Chartered Accountancy profession Charter (CA Charter); and to identify the accounting firms' managers' and trainees' perceptions of managerial competencies required by managers to effectively manage diversity in KwaZulu-Natal. A prospective, descriptive and analytical, cross-sectional design using systematic sampling was employed. The responses of 45 accounting managers and 114 trainees were analysed. Results: Both managers and trainees perceived the six managerial competencies important in managing diversity, but the ranking order of perceived importance indicated that there are variations in ratings. Teamwork and self-management competencies were highly rated by managers, while communication and teamwork competencies were highly rated by trainees. A total of 84.4% of managers were male, 44.4% were White, and 91.1% were between 30 to 60 years old. 47.4% of trainees were male, 51.8% were African, and all were between 21 and 30 years old. 42.1% of trainees reported knowledge of the CA Charter, in contrast to 64.4% of managers (p<0.05). 34.2% of trainees did not believe that the accounting firm has a plan to retain Black employees, as compared to 4.4% of managers (p< 0.05). Both managers and trainees believed that diversity should be led by top management. Trainees were more attached than managers to individuals of the same race (p<0.05) and language (p<0.05) as themselves. Conclusion: The managerial competencies are vital for the accounting firms. managers. The study suggests that the accounting firms. managers should consider the importance given by trainees and by themselves in prioritising the most important competencies they require in managing diversity. Accounting firms are encouraged to include the six managerial competencies in the firm's management development programme or training and development programme. Incongruities exist between managers' and trainees' perceptions of managerial diversity efforts and the equity of remuneration call for greater transparency in existing and future diversity management practices. While the CA Charter remains the guiding professional piece on diversity, poor awareness and the lack of targets/benchmarking may fuel the divided perceptions. The language and race based attachments of both trainees and managers are reminiscent of the divisive and exclusive history of the profession. There is still much work to be done in the way of changing perceptions, attitudes and behaviours, before diversity can be effectively managed.
The managers’ perceptions of irregular expenditure In the KwaZulu-Natal municipalities.
(2018) Zungu, Amos.; Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.
Background: While the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA, 2003) requires accounting officers to prevent irregular expenditure, municipalities continue to incur such expenditure. Aim: This study aimed to determine the managers’ perceptions of irregular expenditure in the KwaZulu-Natal municipalities; their perceptions of councillors’ oversight of such expenditure, and managers’ views on the capacity of Municipal Public Account Committees (MPACs) to fulfil their oversight role. Setting: The setting for this study is municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal. Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional design using systematic sampling was employed. The responses of 52 managers were analysed. Results: Managers agreed on the need for compliance with procurement processes and proper planning. They also concurred that irregular expenditure negatively impacts social transformation and wealth redistribution. The study respondents were of the view that irregular expenditure occurs due to manipulation and unfair practices, a lack of transparent supply chain management processes and politicians’ interests in tenders. In their opinion, councillors fail to investigate liability for irregular expenditure as required by section 32(2) (a) and (b) of the MFMA. They reported that serious cases of irregular expenditure where there were allegations of fraud, theft and corruption had not been investigated. Furthermore, disciplinary proceedings were not instituted against those that did not act in good faith and committed serious financial misconduct that resulted in municipalities incurring financial losses. Conclusion: Irregular expenditure harms municipalities’ image and negatively impacts social transformation. Municipalities, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) should invest in capacity building, implement effective fraud prevention plans and enhance the capabilities of those in charge of oversight. Contribution to the Study: The study makes a practical contribution towards understanding of the incidence of irregular expenditure and how it can be prevented. In addition, the study is the first to be undertaken in South Africa. This will serve as a foundation and source of reference for further studies.
Value chain financing and profitability of edible oil manufacturing companies in South Africa.
(2024) Aliamutu, Kansilembo Freddy.; Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.
The study aimed to evaluate the impact of Value Chain Financing on the profitability of edible oil manufacturing companies in South Africa. Utilising secondary data collected from the financial statements of edible oil manufacturing companies from 2012 to 2022. Throughout the research, a positivism paradigm was applied using a descriptive retrospective panel data approach. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the value chain financing variables and the profitability of edible oil manufacturing companies in South Africa. The first objective was to ascertain the impact of financing in the raw material on the profitability of edible oil manufacturing companies in South Africa. This objective was achieved using descriptive statistics. The second objective was to assess the impact of financing in the working capital on the profitability of edible oil manufacturing companies in South Africa. This objective was achieved using correlation analysis between the variables. The third objective was to ascertain the impact of financing in the primary activities on the profitability of edible oil manufacturing companies in South Africa. The fourth objective was to determine the impact of financing in the support activities on the profitability of edible oil manufacturing companies in South Africa. The fifth objective was to establish the impact of firm characteristics on the link between financing in the value-chain and profitability in edible oil manufacturing companies in South Africa. The three last objectives used data panel regression for the period from 2012 to 2022. In this analysis, the study extends the Unit root test to confirm that the data was stationary; the multi-collinearity test to guarantee that the independent variables had not been correlated; the Hausman test aided in choosing the best model for the data among the fixed effect model with the random effect model; and the study included the Normality test to guarantee that the findings could be generalised and utilised in the edible oil industry. The study results suggest that value chain financing gave firms a competitive advantage amongst other competitors in the field and increased profitability.
Water sustainability disclosure in the integrated reports of JSE listed companies in South Africa.
(2021) Osman, Sulaiman.; Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.; Razak, Mohamed Hassan Yousuf.
South Africa is in a crisis relating to the quality of available water. South Africa is a country that is considered as one of the top 30 driest countries in the world and this is principally based on climate conditions, as well as an escalation of water demands. The primary users of water are companies; therefore, companies must have measures in place to protect this scarce resource. This study examined the extent of the interventions by selected Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed South African companies in relation to water sustainability disclosures. An assessment of whether the importance of water is recognised and a commitment to alleviate water shortage, as shown by JSE listed companies, was performed. Integrated reports were analysed according to the Disclosure Assessment and Performance Tool. The population was grouped according to four water-intensive sectors: The construction sector, the food production sector, the mining sector and the oil and gas sector. The total population of JSE listed South African companies for all four sectors is 62 companies for this study. The data in these reports was selected and evaluated in accordance with a set of questions reflected under three categories in the Disclosure Assessment and Performance tool. The companies were rated according to a rating scheme from D to A for each question. The categories are linked to each of the three research questions pertinent to this study. It was established, through the content analysis of the integrated reports, that the companies grasp the seriousness of the water crisis that South Africa is experiencing and are making an effort to reduce the water risk; however, various areas require improvement. These areas include the lack of integration between water sustainability information and their financial reports, setting of performance standards and goals in terms of wastewater discharge and a major concern that affected the majority of companies in all four sectors was their engagement with their respective suppliers in the supply chain process. Based on the findings of all four sectors it was revealed that the industrial metal and mining sector was the best overall performing sector in the study; however, this sector, together with other sectors, has also struggled in its performance in a few areas. Increased pressure now needs to be placed on these JSE listed companies to ensure continuous improvement in their performance relating to water sustainability. This, in turn, will result in a reduction of environmental issues, which include water scarcity, faced in South Africa and across the globe.