FAILED GOVERNANCE IN STATE ORGANISATIONS IS NOT A SIMPLE BAILOUT! (2023-08-10)

By Terrance M. Booysen (CGF Research Institute: Chief Executive Officer)

Given the multiple governance failures seen across South Africa, and mostly within the public sector, there is no doubt that this fragile situation is a national disaster.  The costs of these governance failures are far worse than the actual monetary losses reported to date.  Earlier this year the Reserve Bank estimated that the country’s energy crisis alone is causing losses to the SA economy of approximately $51 million (approximately R942 million) every day.

HONESTY AND TRUTHFULNESS - CAN THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK® HELP? (2023-08-07)

By Jené Palmer (CGF Research Institute: Director)

Authentic leaders embrace honesty and truthfulness as core principles of their leadership style.  They strive to build trust, inspire their teams and foster an environment of openness and integrity.  This approach appears to be cut-and-dried.  However, in reality, being honest and truthful can be rather tricky.

THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK® - AN ALTERNATIVE TO WHISTLEBLOWING (2023-07-21)

By Jené Palmer (CGF Research Institute: Director)

Whistleblowing can be a courageous act, but it is not always the best option for everyone due to potential risks and consequences.  It is also true that by the time any whistleblowing mechanisms are used, the damage has already been done to the organisation and its stakeholders.  This begs the question then: what is the alternative?

USING THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK® IN TIMES OF GREAT UNCERTAINTY (2021-11-17)

By Terrance M. Booysen and peer reviewed by Jené Palmer CA(SA)

Whilst most corporations across the world have had to make drastic changes to their business operations as a result of the Covid19 pandemic, many business leaders believe that the disruptions caused by the pandemic have inadvertently introduced more advantages than disadvantages.  However, are the odds actually stacked against the organisation?

DIRECTORS’ SENTIMENT INDEX™ REPORT: 5TH EDITION – CGF’S OBSERVATIONS FROM A GOVERNANCE PERSPECTIVE (2020-11-12)

By Glen Talbot (CA)SA and Terrance Booysen and peer reviewed by Jené Palmer CA(SA)

A review of the Institute of Directors in South Africa (‘IoDSA’)’s recently released report for 2020 raises some interesting observations from a governance perspective. It should be noted that the study was concluded prior to the nation-wide lockdown and national state of disaster due to the Corona virus (‘Covid-19’) pandemic. It is likely that the sentiments expressed by respondents may have been significantly more pessimistic had the study been concluded in the second half of 2020.

INVIGORATING THE INTERNAL AUDIT PROFESSION THROUGH ROBUST GOVERNANCE AND CONTROLS (2020-08-18)

By Jené Palmer CA(SA) (CGF Lead Independent Consultant) and peer reviewed by Terrance M. Booysen

The recent public censure and financial penalties imposed by the JSE Limited on Tongaat Hulett Ltd and EOH Ltd for non-compliance with the JSE Listing Requirements, again brings the effectiveness of the internal audit profession (and indeed external audit) into question.  Is internal audit adding value?

The question is relevant to both the public and private sector where examples of financial misstatement and the circumvention of internal procurement policies and procedures are increasingly being uncovered.  In these circumstances, questions need to be asked about the future role and stakeholder expectations of internal audit.

INTERNAL AUDITORS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN STRENGTHENING THE GOVERNANCE OF AN ORGANISATION (2020-08-12)

By Glen Talbot(CA) SA and Terrance Booysen and peer reviewed by Jené Palmer CA(SA)

People who occupy positions of authority include not only executive and non-executive directors of the board, but also managers who have the means of influencing or causing material changes in the organisation.  The latter, according to the South African Companies Act of 2008, are known as ‘prescribed officers’ and together with the organisation’s directors and internal auditors, can all be held liable for not ensuring that the interests of the organisation are being adequately served and protected.

SURVIVING DISRUPTIONS IN BUSINESS CALLS FOR MORE AGILE BOARDS AND A ROBUST GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK (2020-07-23)

By Terrance M. Booysen and peer reviewed by Jené Palmer CA(SA) (CGF Lead Independent Consultant)

Even prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ease of doing business in South Africa was already under great pressure.  According to the World Bank’s annual ratings, South Africa’s ranking had deteriorated from 82nd position amongst 190 economies to 84th position in 2019.  The Covid-19 saga has clearly made matters far worse for businesses to survive in South Africa, hence requiring greater board agility to weather and beat the socio-economic tsunami we are now facing.

COVID-19: ADDRESSING DEBILITATING RISKS REQUIRES A ROBUST GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK (2020-04-17)

By Terrance M. Booysen and peer reviewed by Jené Palmer CA(SA) (CGF Lead Independent Consultant)

The times we are currently living in are unprecedented. Covid-19 has once again highlighted the reasons why governance -- good governance -- is a critical function in a democratic country.

INTERNAL AUDIT REQUIRE GREATER REPRESENTATION ON THE BOARD (2019-08-05)

A plethora of corporate governance codes has been written across the world, and in spite of their recommendations which inter alia seek to protect stakeholder interests and shareholder value, many governance failures and organisational collapses continue seemingly unabated.