Tag: corporate governance

South Africa is facing a number of critical challenges. Two of the most worrying are a faltering economy and a crisis in leadership which is leaving many of our future business leaders either waiting on the side lines or, even more tragically, leaving the country.

Comair returned to the headlines by advising on 1 June that it was voluntarily suspending its flights until the funding necessary to resume operations had been secured. What has got customers hot under the collar, though, is that it had advertised a one-day sale on the previous day (31 May).

The news that John Lamola will assume the roles of both Executive Chair and CEO of South African Airways (SAA) suggests that the state has not learned the lessons of the past few years regarding the importance of good governance.

In view of their important role in supporting governance, boards must take steps to protect whistle-blowers and promote a culture of whistle-blowing.

Volume 1 of the second Zondo Report (Zondo 2), which deals with Transnet, graphically shows how important it is for a CEO to appointed who has the right qualities - and, consequently, the board’s respect. CEO appointments should be the prerogative of the board in terms of governance best practice.

Reading through the proposed amendments to the Companies Act again, it struck me that they are symptomatic of a general South African problem: too much regulation, too few results. No doubt some of these amendments are necessary, but will they actually address the big issues that concern us all?

With the dust of the recent Local Government Elections (LGE) now settled and still no consequences against the July rioters in KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng; one has to question if South Africans deserve the real benefits of proper governing as a foundational basis that underpins our constitution, especially when citizens “turn a blind eye” or are part of the problem themselves?

It is a common belief that 'data is the new oil', and Information Technology (IT) supports almost every modern-day transaction, from the delivery of electricity and water to banking, shopping, manufacturing, and correspondence. The confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, and accessibility of information that enable these operations must be ensured to avoid the failure of related and unrelated information, devices, and activities. These failures expose businesses and individuals to the risk of reputation, income, assets, and the very endurance of the business or organisation and as a going concern. As a result, like sustainability, cybersecurity is now a critically important 'C-suite' issue.

Kate Stubbs | Marketing Director | Interwaste | mail me | Our resilience and adaptability have been put to the test more than ever over the last 18...

At the heart of a company’s modern-day social contract is its purpose – a call to action that explains to its stakeholders why the company exists, what it stands for and why the world is better off for its existence. In the simplest terms, for sustainability to be embedded in the business strategy, the company needs to understand how it creates value for its stakeholders in the short, medium and long term by delivering on its purpose and by consciously prioritising people, planet and profit.