Page 16 - IRMSA Risk Report 2020

A PERSPEC TIVE FR OM BUSINESS
DR . LEIL A FOURIE

Reducing the top risks identified in the IRMSA Risk Report – specifically within
the themes of leadership, a culture of ethical conduct, and consequence
management towards greater accountability the private, corporate and public
sector citizens of South Africa need to transfer skills and knowledge as it is
essential and critical to ensure long term sustainability and empowerment. Both
the private and public sector transformation is critical, along with ethical and
socially responsible leadership where there is collaboration and partnerships.

N A V I G AT I N G C O M P L E X I T Y : T H E
F R O N T I E R O F R I S K M A N A G E M E N T
S O N J A B L I G N A U T A N D R O B E R T K O C H
In the last decade, complexity has gone from an obscure
science to a main-stream topic. The acronym VUCA
(Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous), whilst
used since the 1980’s by the armed forces, now describes
the lived experience of decision-makers in virtually all
industries and societal spheres. The reason is that we live
in an increasingly connected world, with many of those
connections in near real-time; and the more connected
the world becomes, the more complex it becomes.

This report, therefore, aims to be different. It aims to be a working tool: supported by various initiatives throughout
2020. Our Risk Intelligence Committee will continue to apply its mind to stimulate continuous national debate with
various partners and resultant action to respond to the risks and opportunities to which our country is exposed. During
2020, we will run a Risk Intelligence Programme to encourage participation in round tables, case studies, opinion
pieces, forums, and other engagement programmes with various other players in our economy.
Our aim with this is to contribute to our country’s body of knowledge and to optimise the synergies relating to risk
management throughout our economy. We aim to encourage alignment and optimisation of our national narrative and
resources to deliver a society where all people have a sense of belonging, can take constructive part in our economy,
build a better life, and feel that they can influence outcomes, irrespective of who is in power.

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