Cura Software Hosts Insightful GRC Roundtable Dinner with Global Thought Leaders

On October 30th, Cura Software Solutions hosted an exclusive GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) Roundtable Dinner in Johannesburg, bringing together a dynamic group of senior compliance officers, risk managers, and audit leaders from across South Africa and the broader African continent. The evening was moderated by Kudzai Chaka, CEO of KC Compliance, and featured keynote insights from globally renowned GRC expert Michael Rasmussen.

The event served as a platform for cross-sector dialogue, with attendees representing industries such as financial services, mining, government, healthcare, and hospitality. The goal: to explore the evolving landscape of GRC in Africa, share practical insights, and discuss how technology—particularly AI—is reshaping governance models and risk practices.

A Conductor for Risk: Michael Rasmussen’s Vision for GRC

Michael Rasmussen opened the evening with a compelling overview of global GRC trends, emphasizing the need for orchestration in risk management. He likened the modern Chief Risk Officer (CRO) to a conductor—someone who harmonizes risk, compliance, and audit functions to drive strategic value. “The CRO of yesterday is not the CRO of today,” Rasmussen noted, urging organizations to rethink their governance frameworks and align risk strategy with business objectives.

Key Themes and Insights from the Roundtable

The roundtable discussion, facilitated by Kudzai Chaka, delved into several pressing themes:

1. Board-Level Engagement and GRC Maturity

Participants agreed that board focus is a critical driver of GRC success. However, many boards lack deep expertise in GRC, which can hinder meaningful engagement. Attendees emphasized the importance of equipping board members with relevant data and insights to foster informed decision-making. “Compliance officers need to be recognized by the board,” one delegate noted, highlighting the need for visibility and strategic alignment.

2. The Role of the Compliance Officer

The conversation underscored the evolving role of compliance professionals. Risk and compliance require dedicated leadership and buy-in from the top. Attendees discussed the importance of separating risk from audit functions and involving management stakeholders in risk committee meetings. The consensus: skilled professionals who can articulate the value and impact of risk are essential to driving GRC conversations forward.

3. Digital Transformation and Data-Driven Governance

Technology emerged as a central theme, with many organizations transitioning from manual processes to predictive, data-driven GRC systems. Cura’s platform was highlighted as a key enabler, offering integrated risk reporting and real-time visibility. “GRC systems have a lot of data—we need to use it to present to the board and EXCO,” said one participant. The ability to consolidate fragmented systems into a unified view was seen as a major advantage.

4. AI in GRC: Promise and Pitfalls

While AI is a buzzword in the GRC space, the group acknowledged that its adoption is a marathon, not a sprint. Establishing robust risk processes and investing in change management are prerequisites for successful AI integration. Concerns raised included cultural resistance (many still prefer Excel), cybercrime risks, lack of understanding around AI’s efficiency gains, and ethical considerations such as bias and model accountability.

“Backward-looking AI won’t help us manage forward-looking risks,” one attendee cautioned. The group agreed that responsible AI use requires the right skills, capabilities, and governance frameworks. Cura’s ability to support AI integration while maintaining system reliability and ethical oversight was praised.

5. Leadership, Culture, and ESG Pressures

The roundtable also explored how leadership and organizational culture influence GRC maturity. Embedding governance thinking into everyday decision-making and shifting from “compliance policing” to ethical empowerment were seen as key trends. ESG compliance and sustainability reporting are gaining traction, especially in extractive and financial sectors, driven by evolving regulatory frameworks and stakeholder expectations.

A Cross-Industry Perspective

The diversity of attendees enriched the conversation. Delegates shared insights from both public and private sectors, offering perspectives on the unique challenges and opportunities facing different industries. Discussions highlighted the importance of tailoring GRC strategies to organizational maturity and sector-specific risks.

A Cura representative noted that risk and compliance functions are most mature in South Africa, while audit maturity is more advanced in other parts of Africa. This regional perspective added depth to the discussion and emphasized the need for scalable, adaptable GRC solutions.

Looking Ahead: Steps for the Future

As the evening concluded, Rasmussen offered a roadmap for advancing GRC practices:

• GRC Orchestration: Positioning the CRO as a strategic conductor.
• Vision and Mission Alignment: Building governance frameworks that support long-term goals.
• Operational Risk Integration: Embedding risk management into business strategy.

The event wrapped up with a dinner and networking session, allowing attendees to continue the conversation in a relaxed setting. Kudzai and the Cura team offered closing remarks, thanking participants for their valuable contributions.

Final Thoughts

The Cura GRC Roundtable Dinner was more than just an event—it was a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and strategic thinking. As organizations across Africa navigate complex regulatory environments and embrace digital transformation, forums like this play a vital role in shaping the future of governance, risk, and compliance.