scholarly journals The Prospects for Corporate Governance Operating as a Vehicle for Social Change in South Africa

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian Miles ◽  
Mariette Jones
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Corporate Citizenship ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Governance Regime ◽  
Inclusive Approach ◽  
Legal Duty ◽  
Apartheid Regime ◽  
The Many

A range of scholarly literature has emerged recently which discusses the extent to which the corporate governance regime in South Africa can incorporate the interests of stakeholders. This is a timely question in view of present movements toward such an approach in the country. At face value, adopting an approach which combines the interests of shareholders with those of stakeholders is ideal in a country which is trying to redress the extreme inequalities caused by exploitative and discriminative policies under the apartheid regime. But, as this article will argue, there are significant challenges to be met if this approach is to succeed. The article also questions whether, in the context of an emerging economy, companies are the most appropriate vehicle through which to promote the interests of employees, the environment, the local community and society at large. This article will be structured as follows. Part 1 describes the many socio-economic challenges facing the South African government. Part 2 discusses its corporate governance regime, which imposes a legal duty on directors to adopt an ‘inclusive approach’ whilst managing their business and which continues to reiterate the value of good corporate citizenship and responsibility. Part 3 addresses the difficulties which arise from the inclusive approach. Part 4, which concludes, argues that increased involvement of the state through legal regulation is crucial in order to create a more robust framework in which the needs of society can be met.

The evolution of the stakeholder-inclusive approach in the King Reports

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-146
Author(s):  
Annamarie van der Merwe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Human Intervention ◽  
Common Theme ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Governance Code ◽  
Inclusive Approach ◽  
High Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with a high-level overview of the key messages of each of the four King Reports on Corporate Governance for South Africa, published during the period from 1994 to 2017, with a particular focus on the stakeholder-inclusive approach. While confirming the constant themes and messages, it also highlights the unique features and attributes of each of these reports. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a review and comparison of the four King Reports of Corporate Governance for South Africa with a particular focus on the stakeholder-inclusive approach. Findings The key findings of this paper are: the concept of “stakeholder inclusivity” is a common theme across all four the King Reports forming part of the review while, at the same time, having a unique flavour in each of the reports and visibly developing over the years. The reliance on human intervention and ethical leaders to appropriately and effectively steer the stakeholder-inclusive approach is obvious. In the absence of this, no corporate governance code will provide adequate safeguards to stakeholders against corporate failures and disasters, whether in South Africa or anywhere else. Originality/value This paper is a part of a special issue which looks at the contribution of the King Reports to governance globally.

scholarly journals Integrating Built Heritage in Development Planning: Small and medium towns of Gurgaon District

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4S) ◽  
pp. 77-87
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Developmental Context ◽  
Built Heritage ◽  
Inclusive Approach ◽  
Urban Complex ◽  
The Many ◽  
Urban Planning And Management

Rapid growth of cities is a reality addressed in the formulation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a part of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Goal 11 proposes ‘improving urban planning and management through participatory and inclusive ways’ [1]. While this is an obvious ideal, the challenge lies in operationalizing it. In the many layers of a typical urban context in India, one is that of built heritage. One that is marginalized in the process of development planning, particularly in areas such as the Gurgaon District of Haryana that has seen unprecedented urban growth and transformation over the last few decades [2]. The study approaches sustainable development from the lens of built heritage and socio-cultural processes revolving around it in the given context. The research focus is on built heritage of small and medium towns in the Gurgaon District and its linkages with the physical, socio-political and developmental context. The towns of Sohna, Farrukhnagar and Garhi Harsaru in the District have been taken up for study. The three towns are spread across three different Development Plans prepared for Sohna, Farrukhanagar and Gurgaon-Manesar Urban Complex. A critique of the developmental planning approach highlights it’s disconnect with built heritage [3]. Mapping of the socio-political context and various on-ground processes of maintaining and managing of built heritage by the local community point towards connections with development that helps sustain the built heritage. There are community linkages, associations and values grounded in the context that play a significant role in the process. The study reveals that built heritage has an integral relationship with its physical and ecological context, and represents, along with being impacted by, social and political events in the past and present. Hence, historical as well as contemporary positions find a place in the narrative. The community led processes of present day are layered with meanings, understanding which can pave the way for a participatory and inclusive approach towards development, rather than forcing a one size fits all solution.

scholarly journals NEW DILEMMAS AND NEW DIRECTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA AFTER APARTHEID

Afrika Focus ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefaan Anrys ◽  
David Chan ◽  
Albie Sachs
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Death Penalty ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
New South ◽  
Constitutional Court ◽  
The Third ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Freedom Fighters ◽  
Apartheid Regime ◽  
The Many

On 3 October 2016, Sachs, who collects honorary doctorates and other titles as if they were panini stickers, visited Ghent University for the third Mandela Lecture organised by the Africa Platform of the Ghent University Association, and moderated by Prof. Eva Brems. This interview was conducted on that occasion. ‘Since the attempt on my life, I see everything as rose-tinted’, laughs the man who sur- vived an attack, abolished the death penalty and was close to the ANC leadership. ‘If I were to become pessimistic about South Africa, people would really get scared, they’d say: Oh, even Albie doesn’t like it anymore ’(laughs). In 1988 Albie Sachs was viciously attacked, losing his right arm and the sight of one eye. He was living in exile in Mozambique at the time, as South Africa suffered under the Apartheid regime. Sachs was one of the prominent freedom fighters, but survived the assassination attempt and eventually became an important member of the ANC, one of the many authors of the Constitution of the new South Africa. He was also invited by Mandela to sit on the Constitutional Court, which abolished the death penalty and forced Parliament to legalise LGBT marriage. In Ghent, the now 81-year-old freedom fighter nuances the pessimistic news coming out of South Africa. ‘A lot is going wrong in South Africa. But what gives me hope is that people can speak their minds. Our democracy works. Our institutions work, and not just the courts and tribunals. Recently we had elections, and they were free and fair. And yes, the ANC lost the elections. But that is in fact the best evidence that our democracy works.’

scholarly journals An exploration of the role of records management in corporate governance in South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mpho Ngoepe ◽  
Patrick Ngulube
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Corporate Citizenship ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Audit Committees ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Good Corporate Governance ◽  
Auditor General

Background: Corporate governance maybe approached through several functions such as auditing, an internal audit committee, information management, compliance, corporate citizenship and risk management. However, most organisations, including governmental bodies, regularly exclude records management from the criteria for a good corporate-governance infrastructure. Proper records management could be the backbone of establishing good corporate governance.Objectives: Utilising the King report III on corporate governance as a framework, this quantitative study explores the role of records management in corporate governance in governmental bodies of South Africa.Method: Report data were collected through questionnaires directed to records managers and auditors in governmental bodies, as well as interviews with purposively selected auditors from the Auditor-General of South Africa. Data were analysed using various analytical tools and through written descriptions, numerical summarisations and tables.Results: The study revealed that records management is not regarded as an essential component for corporate governance. Records management is only discussed as a footnote; as a result it is a forgotten function with no consequences in government administration in South Africa. The study further revealed that most governmental bodies have established internal audit units and audit committees. However, records-management professionals were excluded from such committees.Conclusion: The study concludes by arguing that if records management is removed as a footnote of the public-sector operations and placed in the centre of operational concern, it will undoubtedly make a meaningful contribution to good corporate governance.

Ethics in Accounting and Finance

2021 ◽  
pp. 30-41
Author(s):  
Vannie Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Public Enterprise ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Fair Share ◽  
Accounting Profession ◽  
The World ◽  
The Many

Ethics forms the cornerstone of business and commerce today. It is the lifeblood of every institution be it private or public enterprise. Organisations have to develop and implement a properly structured policy on ethics outlaying proper governance within the institution. Accounting and finance services are crucial in managing a company's finances and wealth. In the accounting profession, in order for there to be transparency and trust, ethics is a crucial area that needs to be present. The many scandals and ethical dilemmas faced by countries organisations throughout the world has made us pause and take stock of what is happening in industry and has prompted action in law and governance towards ethics and corporate governance. South Africa too, has had its fair share of scandal that has had its legal fraternity, government, and business sector develop the Kings I, Kings II, Kings III, and Kings IV laws that stipulate corporate governance and ethics. Organisations have to be honest, professional, and transparent in their business practices.

scholarly journals The stalemate of community policing in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 61-70
Author(s):  
Shaka Yesufu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Community Policing ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Transition To Democracy ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Police Service ◽  
South Africans ◽  
The Road ◽  
The Past ◽  
Apartheid Regime

With the end of the apartheid regime in South Africa, new police service was needed to promote the transition to democracy. Community policing was introduced from the United Kingdom in the 1990s into South Africa as a channel to heal the wounds and injustices of the past. Over Twenty-five years down the road, community policing in South Africa has made little or no impact on the majority of South Africans who will openly admit that they do not attend their local community forums, because they simply do not trust the police because of its oppressive past. It is a widely held view by several South Africans that the Police Service simply cannot change overnight from being a very brutal force to become the protectors of citizen’s human rights. This research is a qualitative study; whereby an extensive literature review was carried, exploring the issues and concepts related to community policing. The findings are that community policing has achieved its desired results. All citizens must go back to the drawing board again to bring community policing back on track for the benefit of all citizens to whom the police serve and protect. The author argues that the bitterness and divisions of the past must put be put to one side and that all citizens must co-create a country, where all South Africans are proudly part of and allowed to make their contributions.

La Traviata Affair

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilde Roos
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Racial Boundaries ◽  
Cultural Organization ◽  
Colored People ◽  
Art Forms ◽  
Group A ◽  
La Traviata ◽  
Apartheid Regime ◽  
Opera Production ◽  
The Way

Opera, race, and politics during apartheid South Africa form the foundation of this historiographic work on the Eoan Group, a so-called colored cultural organization that performed opera in the Cape. The La Traviata Affair: Opera in the Time of Apartheid charts Eoan’s opera activities from its inception in 1933 until the cessation of its work by 1980. By accepting funding from the apartheid government and adhering to apartheid conditions, the group, in time, became politically compromised, resulting in the rejection of the group by their own community and the cessation of opera production. However, their unquestioned acceptance of and commitment to the art of opera lead to the most extraordinary of performance trajectories. During apartheid, the Eoan Group provided a space for colored people to perform Western classical art forms in an environment that potentially transgressed racial boundaries and challenged perceptions of racial exclusivity in the genre of opera. This highly significant endeavor and the way it was thwarted at the hands of the apartheid regime is the story that unfolds in this book.

Epistemic Ruptures in South African Standpoint Knowledge-Making: Academic Feminism and the #FeesMustFall Movement

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Desiree Lewis ◽  
Cheryl Margaret Hendricks
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Political Thought ◽  
Economic Restructuring ◽  
Student Protests ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Academic Feminism ◽  
The Many ◽  
Radical Knowledge ◽  
Intellectual Activism

Alongside the many structural and political processes generated by the #FeesMustFall student protests between 2015 and 2016 were narratives and discourses about revitalising the transformation of universities throughout South Africa. It was the very notion of “transformation,” diluted by neo-liberal macro-economic restructuring from the late 1990s, that students jettisoned as they increasingly embraced the importance of “decolonisation.” By exploring some of the key debates and interventions driven by the #FeesMustFall movement, we consider how earlier trajectories of feminist knowledge-making resonate with these. The article also reflects on how aspects of intellectual activism within the student protests can deepen and push back the frontiers of contemporary South African academic feminism. In so doing, it explores how radical knowledge-making at, and about, universities, has contributed to radical political thought in South Africa.

DEMOCRACY AT THE SERVICE OF FOREIGN POLICY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. FREDDIE
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Transition To Democracy ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Activities ◽  
Foreign Policy Change ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Apartheid Regime

The article examines the place and role of democracy and human rights in South Africas foreign policy. The author analyzes the process of South Africas foreign policy change after the fall of the apartheid regime and transition to democracy. He gives characteristics of the foreign policy under different presidents of South Africa from 1994 to 2018 and analyzes the political activities of South Africa in the area of peacekeeping and human rights on the African continent.

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