The man who made SARS R11.5 trillion

During his tenure at SARS, Edward Kieswetter oversaw record revenue collection of R11.5 trillion, nearly half of the amount raised since 1997, strengthening South Africa’s tax system and modernising SARS operations.

While Kieswetter took over SARS during one of its most difficult periods in history, he managed to turn the revenue service into a world-class collection agency.

Edward Kieswetter began his studies with a diploma in Electrical Engineering from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

He subsequently earned his postgraduate qualifications in mathematics, engineering and science education through the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape.

Kieswetter later earned an Executive MBA from Henley Business School and completed a Master of Commerce in South African and International Tax Law at North-West University.

Professionally, he built a career across both the public and private sectors. He served in senior leadership roles at the South African Revenue Service (SARS) between 2004 and 2009.

During this time, Kieswetter served as the founding Group Executive of the Large Business Centre and High Net Worth Unit.

He also worked as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Commissioner, where he helped modernise SARS’ operations and tax administration systems.

From 2010 to 2016, he was Group Chief Executive of Alexander Forbes, overseeing a major turnaround and the company’s relisting on the JSE in 2014.

He also held executive positions at FirstRand and Eskom, while serving on several major boards, including Shoprite Holdings and Transnet.

In 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed him SARS Commissioner, where he led efforts to rebuild the institution after the state capture era.

In his position as SARS Commissioner, Kieswetter has been credited with not only improving revenue collection, but also with rebuilding institutional credibility after one of the most difficult periods in SARS’ history.

Record R11.5 trillion collected as Kieswetter credited with rebuilding SARS

“Kieswetter rebuilt SARS,” explained Latita Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Jemaine Manikus. “South Africa is better for it.”

“His legacy is not only in the revenue collected, but in restoring confidence in one of the country’s most important institutions.”

Under his leadership, SARS regained technical capability, restored confidence in its systems and repositioned itself as one of the country’s most important state institutions.

The numbers reflect that recovery, for the 2025/26 financial year, SARS crossed the historic R2.010 trillion net revenue mark for the first time.

Over the past seven years, collections grew at a 6.8% compound annual growth rate, while SARS reported a 25.9% tax-to-GDP ratio. Of the R25.1 trillion collected since 1997, almost half, R11.5 trillion, was collected during Kieswetter’s tenure.

These figures represent millions of compliant South Africans and businesses participating in a tax system that has become significantly more structured, disciplined and effective.

“Edward Kieswetter’s legacy is that he restored SARS into an institution that South Africans could once again take seriously,” Manikus said. “He rebuilt capability, discipline and public confidence at a time when the country needed it most.”

What also stood out during Kieswetter’s tenure was his consistent emphasis on rebuilding trust between SARS and taxpayers, Manikus noted.

Kieswetter era sees SARS modernisation amid economic pressure

Throughout his leadership, Kieswetter repeatedly reinforced the idea that voluntary compliance depends on credibility, fairness and public confidence in the institution itself.

That message remained clear in his farewell reflections shared via the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on 30 April 2026.

During his speech, he reflected on the importance of institutional resilience, public service and the role taxpayers continue to play in sustaining South Africa’s future.

The significance of Kieswetter’s leadership extends beyond revenue performance alone. SARS today operates in a far more modern environment than it did seven years ago.

Verification systems are more advanced, digital processes have improved, and the institution has become increasingly data-driven in its approach to identifying risk and addressing non-compliance.

Importantly, this has happened during a period of significant economic pressure, where both businesses and individuals have faced increasing financial strain.

“What makes this achievement significant is not only the revenue outcome,” Manikus said. “It is that SARS managed to rebuild institutional credibility during one of the most economically demanding periods South Africa has faced in recent years.”

The appointment of Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu from 1 May 2026 now represents continuity within a SARS environment that has already undergone major rebuilding and modernisation.

The responsibility ahead will be to maintain that momentum, preserve taxpayer confidence and continue strengthening the institution in a way that supports both compliance and economic participation.

“South Africans respond best to a system they believe is credible, fair and consistent,” Manikus said. “Kieswetter helped restore that belief. The next phase is about building on that foundation responsibly.”