CDH Conversations

Can hydrogen truly decarbonize heavy industries without the CO₂ baggage?

In Episode 2 of the H₂ Dialogue: Fuelling the Future Podcast Series, Jackwell Feris, Director and the Sector Head: Industrials, Manufacturing & Trade, sits down with Dr Johan Brand, CEO and Technical Director of BurnStar Technologies, to unpack their breakthrough molten‑metal reforming process branded “Guilt‑Free Hydrogen™”.

Fresh from attending BurnStar’s launch event at the end of August 2025, this technology is more than a concept. It promises hydrogen production with zero process CO₂, modular deployment, and energy use claims up to 8× lower than electrolysis, a potential game changer for green steel, refining, and other hard‑to‑abate sectors.

The topics addressed in this podcast include:

• How the technology works (and why it matters)
• Use‑cases that pencil first in Southern Africa
• Bankability, risk, and what early adopters need to know
• Myth‑busting: cost, carbon disposal, and scale

National Wills Week takes place on 15 – 19 September 2025. Many people underestimate the importance of a properly drafted will until it’s too late. Without one, your estate will be distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act, which may not reflect your wishes and could create unnecessary complications for your loved ones.Gretchen Barkhuizen-Barbosa, Practice Head and Director, and Emily West, Director in the Trusts & Estates Law practice, highlight why having a will is crucial for effective estate planning. They highlight the following:

   Control and clarity: Nominate an executor you trust, outline their powers, and protect minor children through testamentary trusts.

Asset and business management: Ensure smooth administration of complex assets, businesses, and foreign investments.

       Tax and liquidity planning: Reduce unnecessary taxes and ensure your estate can meet its obligations.

  Legally binding guidance: A will enforces your intentions, unlike a non-binding letter of wishes.

National Wills Week is a reminder to take a proactive approach to estate planning and secure peace of mind for your loved ones.

Join us for another episode of the CDH Women Empowerment Podcast Series.

As we continue to recognise and celebrate women throughout the year, and not only during Women’s Month, this conversation explores the transformative power of mentorship and its role in shaping culture, driving inclusion, and empowering the next generation of leaders.

Hosted by Katekani Mashamba, this episode features an inspiring discussion with Phetheni Nkuna and Yvonne Mkefa, two trailblazing leaders and champions of transformation in the legal profession.

Together, they unpack:

• The foundations of trust in mentor–mentee relationships
• The power of listening and creating safe spaces for growth
• Lessons from mentorship missteps and the value of emotional intelligence
• How mentorship can advance women’s careers and shift workplace culture

This honest and thought-provoking conversation is a must-listen for mentors, mentees, and anyone passionate about building workplaces where women can thrive.

Namibia has just been crowned Africa's number one and the world's number two destination for greenfield foreign directinvestment. In this essential episode, we unpack the policies, strategies, and on-the-ground realities driving this unprecedented economic momentum. 

Join Jackwell Feris, Director and the Sector Head: Industrials, Manufacturing & Trade, as he hosts Margareth Gustavo, Executive Director at the NIPDB, for the high-level strategic vision behind the N$114.9 billion FDI surge since 2021.

We are also joined by Patrick Kauta, Managing Partner of CDH Namibia, who provides the crucial legal and commercialinsights for investors. 

Tune in to discover the drivers of Namibia's success, how to navigate opportunities in key sectors like energy, andrenewables, and what the future holds for one of the world's most exciting investment hotspots.

As we commemorate Women’s Month, we reflect not only on the historic march of 1956 but also on the ongoing journey toward equality in our workplaces and communities.

In our latest podcast, we explore how men can play an effective role in the fight for women's empowerment, Nadeem Mahomed, in the Employment Law practice is joined by Chris Charter in our Competition Law practice, and Gift Xaba from the Pro Bono & Human Rights practice, for an insightful conversation on what true allyship between men and women could looks like.

They explore:

• How men should work alongside women without overshadowing their voices.
• The importance of humility, accountability, and self-education in breaking systemic barriers.
• Practical steps for creating inclusive workplaces, from addressing subtle biases to rethinking policies like parental leave.
• Why allyship is a human issue—not just a women’s issue.

This thought-provoking discussion encourages all of us to reflect on our roles in fostering environments where respect, equity, and inclusion thrive.

In the latest episode of our CDH Women Empowerment series we are joined by Lebohang Mabidikane in the Competition Law practice and Kuda Chimedza in the Banking, Finance & Projects practice.

In a raw and inspiring conversation, Lebohang shares a story that breaks the mould of the traditional legal journey. From becoming a mother straight after matric, working at a bank, and returning to university at 24, to navigating the intensity of articles at a top-tier firm and rediscovering her purpose at the Competition Commission, Lebohang’s path to partnership was anything but linear.

This is a story of resilience, rediscovery, and rewriting the script. One that encourages future legal professionals, especially women, to define success on their own terms.

Click here to watch the full story and be reminded that the law has many paths, and the most powerful one is the one that works for you.

In this powerful episode of the CDH Women’s Empowerment Series, Brigitta Mangale, Director in the Pro Bono & Human Rights practice, speaks with Leanora Tima, Managing Director of Gender Rights in Tech (GRIT), about how technology is being used to support survivors of gender-based violence and drive meaningful change.

From WhatsApp support lines and AI chatbots to community co-creation, Leanora shares how GRIT is breaking barriers, challenging harmful gender norms, and calling for collaboration across government, business, and communities to address the root causes of GBV. We also hear what true empowerment means to Leonora and Brigitta as we continue to celebrate Women's Month.

In this CDH Conversations episode, Belinda Scriba, Claudia Grobler, Professional Support Lawyer Roxanne Bain, and Candidate Attorney, Azola Ndongeni unpack the legal and procedural rules for removing company directors a process that can quickly become contentious if not handled correctly.

They explore the two legal routes available under the Companies Act: removal by shareholders in terms of Section 71(1) and removal by the board in terms of Section 71(3). Each route has its own requirements, from notice periods to specific grounds for removal.

The discussion also covers the director’s right to be informed and to address the meeting before a decision is made, as well as the ongoing “reasons” debate. While the Act doesn’t always require reasons for removal, the CIPC still expects them before processing a change, making it best practice to include them.

The team highlights common procedural pitfalls, such as giving insufficient notice, skipping key steps, or attempting “round robin” removals all of which can result in the process being declared invalid. They also note that reinstatement is rare if a removal is challenged, with damages often being the only remedy.

In our latest CDH Women's Empowerment podcast series, Tayyibah Suliman, Director and Sector Head, sits down with Hanli Brink, Operations Director of the Stellenbosch Network, to talk about her inspiring journey from entrepreneur to community connector.

Hanli shares how she built a successful children’s entertainment business from the ground up, navigated rapid technological change, balanced entrepreneurship with motherhood, and ultimately transitioned into her current role supporting innovation and start-ups.

Key takeaways from Hanli’s story include:

• Adaptability is key – business models must evolve with technology and market shifts.
• Balance matters – success is about being present both at work and in life.
• Perfection isn’t the goal – embracing imperfection opens the door to growth and resilience.

In this episode of our latest CDH Women's Empowerment podcast series, Female Leadership in LawLabz, Retha Beerman, CDH Knowledge Management Practice Head and Director, speaks with Elbi van Vuuren, Director at StrategicPulse Consulting, and Lindi Coetzee, Deputy Dean at the Nelson Mandela University, about the powerful intersection of technology, legal education, and access to justice.

They share how Hive Law is bridging the gap between the advanced tools used by large law firms and the needs of smaller firms, law clinics, and universities, empowering future lawyers to deliver better services and compete effectively.

This inspiring conversation also explores the unique strengths women bring to leadership, the collaborative ethos behind LawLabz, and the importance of preparing law students for a profession that is rapidly evolving through technology.

Key insights include:

• Leveraging legal tech to expand access to justice.
• Preparing graduates for the realities of practice.
• The role of female leadership in driving meaningful change