Although significant oil and gas discoveries across Southern Africa have sharpened investor focus, unlocking that potential is not only geological; it also requires an astute understanding of the legal, fiscal, administrative and commercial requirements thereof, highlights law firm Webber Wentzel corporate practice partner and mining sector head Jonathan Veeran. As capital becomes increasingly mobile and investors weigh frontier markets against proven jurisdictions, South Africa must reckon with specific interlinked challenges that could define its upstream future.