An authority typically refers to a governmental or administrative body that is responsible for enforcing laws, regulations, or policies in a specific area or industry. An authority is usually established by the government to carry out specific tasks and is typically empowered to make decisions, enforce rules, and take other actions to achieve its objectives.

Examples of authorities in South Africa may include regulatory agencies, such as the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications, which is responsible for enforcing standards for certain products, or the South African Revenue Service, which is responsible for collecting taxes. Other examples of authorities in South Africa may include licensing boards, such as the South African Nursing Council, which is responsible for licensing and regulating nurses, or professional associations, such as the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, which sets standards and regulates the accounting profession.

Authorities play a critical role in promoting compliance, protecting public health and safety, and ensuring that businesses and individuals operate within the bounds of the law. They also help to promote fairness and competition by ensuring that standards are consistently applied, and that businesses and individuals are held accountable for their actions.