CGF ARTICLES, OPINIONS & EDITORIALS
June 6,
2024 2319 2319
By Terrance M. Booysen (CGF Research Institute: CEO)
An African proverb eloquently captures the essence of being prepared: “Tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today!”
May 23,
2024 3605 3605
By Terrance M. Booysen (CGF Research Institute: CEO)
While the position of Company Secretary has always been important within an organisation, especially from an administrative perspective, the Company Secretary’s role and scope of responsibility has grown over the years from an ‘efficient administrator’ to a ‘governance leader’. A modern-day Company Secretary’s role essentially encompasses ensuring the smooth running of the board’s functions, as well as ensuring -- from a good governance perspective -- that directors are adequately informed and protected in the heightened regulatory environment in which modern organisations operate.
May 7,
2024 4713 4713
By Jené Palmer CA(SA) GCB.D (CGF Research Institute: Director)
Too many board members only view their organisation’s governance framework as a means to assess compliance. The opportunity to leverage the outcomes of governance assessments to drive innovation and strategic change are often missed because organisational leaders do not measure the dexterity of their strategic processes.
April 10,
2024 1821 1821
By Terrance M. Booysen (CGF Research Institute: CEO)
Traditional governance reporting
With the age of digitalisation firmly entrenched -- and a global economy on the cusp of the Fifth Industrial Revolution -- forward-thinking organisations worldwide have embraced the notion of equipping their workforce for greater meaning and purpose. Considering how organisations have the technological means to streamline their business processes, which often has negative implications upon mundane and/or highly repetitive job functions, these organisations understand the importance of a more ‘human-centered’ approach to conducting their business which is fundamental to their future and sustainability. Given the focus on human empowerment -- being one of the 6-capitals cited by the King Report IV™ for Corporate Governance -- the importance of collective governance assessments made by a much broader stakeholder group of the organisation could not be more important.
August 10,
2023 2778 2778
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.
August 7,
2023 2799 2799
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.
July 21,
2023 2210 2210
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?
April 21,
2022 2433 2433
By Terrance M. Booysen and peer reviewed by Jené Palmer CA(SA)
For many years corporate governance has been a sensitive topic for many boardrooms. In reality, despite the writing of the various codes of corporate governance, the business and state environments remain littered with examples of failed governance.
Given that the South African business landscape still finds itself in deep trouble, one may argue that the introduction of the latest King IV™ Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa 2016 and its outcomes-based reporting has still not had the desired impact in driving governance change.
November 17,
2021 2816 2816
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?
March 19,
2021 2998 2998
By Terrance Booysen and peer reviewed by Jené Palmer CA(SA)
During the years of President Jacob Zuma’s leadership, the country experienced many great governance challenges which played out in the courts and the public domain. The Public Protector at the time -- Ms. Thuli Madonsela -- appeared to be winning the battle against corruption, notwithstanding the great odds that she was facing.