Page 95 - IRMSA Risk Report 2020

6.3

A PERSPEC TIVE FR OM BUSINESS
DR . LEIL A FOURIE

When I considered the question what in my opinion has prevented South Africa from successfully addressing the top risks
identified in the IRMSA Risk Reports over the past five years, the following warrants mentioning:

More can be done to improve our education system. A pragmatic plan is needed to close the gap between public
schools in the urban areas and public schools in the townships. There are opportunities for the public and private
sector to partner to address this challenge.

Progress should continue to be made on our transformation agenda. We need to continue to increase the focus on
gender equality and ensure we mentor and appoint skilled females in leadership positions.

Breakdown of critical infrastructure (transport, roads, water, electricity, housing etc.) needs urgent attention. We need
to prioritise the improvement of infrastructure to be able to cater for the current urban population which continues
to rise. We also need to focus on building out/developing/establishing new urban centres to avoid overcrowding.
Maintenance plans may need to be reviewed in order to ensure better infrastructure. Opportunities also exist for the
public and private sector to partner to address this challenge.

If I relate the top risks identified in the IRMSA Risk Report to the National Development Plan (NDP), the NDP 5-year
implementation plan will assist in meeting objectives, however, we need to work more on accountability as leaders -
ethical and socially responsible leadership is key. Leadership accountability is vital to implement the objectives of the NDP.
The implementation plan advises that the objectives of the NDP be filtered down to government employees’ performance
agreements hence accountability becomes critical. We will follow suit in the private sector and together we can deliver
the agenda for SA.

Treating the top risks together with achieving the
objectives of the NDP requires collaboration between
public and private sector partnerships.

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.

DR . LEIL A FOURIE