What are some of the main trends impacting your industry in South Africa?

There are two main trends that are impacting the industry, firstly, emerging technologies will impact data centres generally, irrespective of jurisdiction, as each jurisdiction will face its own set of unique challenges.
At the heart of enhancing data centre capabilities is considering the actual design of such facilities. The adoption of green technologies, together with advanced cooling systems and renewable energy sources, will reduce the carbon footprint and benefit both the environment and the business. Such capabilities will lead to substantial cost savings.

The second trend to consider, predictive analytics, powered by AI, enables data centres to anticipate and prevent or reduce downtime. This enhances the resilience of data centre operations, which are vital to customers.

How do you see the general counsel role evolving in South Africa over the next five-ten years?

A corporate decision-maker wears many hats, with a strong focus on understanding all aspects of the business. The key is synthesising legal expertise with business acumen. General counsel (GC) serve as an extension of the business, managing risk, compliance, and governance.

A great example of this multifaceted role is evident in the GC’s involvement in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda, particularly compliance and reporting. The legal team must stay abreast of emerging regulations in the ESG space and assess their impact on the business.

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

The legal team must stay connected to the business and embed themselves into its operations. In this way, there will be a greater understanding of the functions of each department within the business, guiding the legal team with valuable insights to effectively work with their business partners. It is crucial for the legal team to be visible throughout the business, whether in person, remotely, or through hybrid means. Accessibility is key; thus, the team must be responsive to any business needs as well as proactive to address them.