The countdown clock has begun ticking down through every hour and minute towards the 2nd Annual SAIGA Conference.
We are looking forward to welcoming our members, keynote speakers, stakeholders, and experts in the accounting and auditing profession at the Protea Hotel Fire and Ice Menlyn on 14-15 September. But equally important is to ensure that we leave nothing to chance to ensure ensure we build on the success of the maiden conference. Last year this time we weren’t sure whether people would embrace the conference. Mind you, we were the only institution that had never held a conference. But here we are today, still talking about it. This year we are taking it up a notch, as our Theme “Up to the Mark” indicates. The theme is a continuation of last year’s Theme of ‘citizens come first’, aligning with the 4IR to address capacity challenges in municipal offices. We are bringing together thought leaders, including former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, who has been vocal on many issues relating to poor governance. We also note and welcome the release of the Zondo State Capture report. President Cyril Ramaphosa aptly described the state capture as “an assault on our democracy and violated the rights of every man, woman, and child in this country”. The DC committee will be reviewing all volumes of the state capture report, providing lessons to the members, and contributing new knowledge to the profession.
SAIGA Marketing has announced former chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng as a keynote speaker at the 2nd SAIGA Annual Conference.
Mogoeng will be closing the conference on the second day, before the gala dinner and the much-anticipated SAIGA Awards. Together with elite government auditors, the retired judge will be driven in comfort and style during the duration of the conference, courtesy of BMW Legacy.
The conference will also feature among the keynote speakers, the Executive Director of Professional and Business Ethics at The Ethics Institute, Prof Leon van Vuuren. It is a well-known fact that South Africa is grappling with challenges of maladministration and corruption with little improvement in the status of transparency, accountability, performance, or integrity of local government over the years.
For over 33 years, SAIGA has served the public sector and society by developing ethical public sector professionals and monitoring public accountability and transparency in national and provincial departments. This has been achieved through the regulation of the Registered Government Auditors (RGAs), the highest professional designation within the public sector auditing.
If he is not taking a “sho’t Left” to explore the rolling hills of the Eastern Cape, Mavuso Shabalala could be found at the theatre watching the latest play. But the new SAIGA council member is not all about play and not work.
“Have you seen the latest play at the Joburg theatre?” Shabalala asks cheerfully.
“It’s Kunene and the King, performed by John Kani and Michael Richard. It’s riveting, you must go watch it.”
Shabalala, though, is quite adept at striking a balance between work and personal life, as he is with his daily work as an independent consultant at Eaglet Advisory and Consulting. After all, he has worked across 17 countries on the continent.
“I love travelling and exploring, like learning about my country and the continent,” says Shabalala.
His face lights up when he talks about the plans for his role as a council member.
“I want to contribute to the growth of SAIGA so that it can continue to play a significant role in ensuring accountability in government through public sector auditors, the RGAs, and build capacity within the public sector,” the 53-year-old says.
“I also want to help grow the PSAAA into a force to be reckoned with. There is a lot the Institute can offer to society.”
Shabalala, a father of two, holds an MBL degree and Global Remuneration Professional and has over 20 years of operational and strategic level experience as a Human Resource professional, which he obtained mainly in the financial services as an HR consultant.
SAIGA is forging ahead with its transformation and re-engineering process to meet its objectives, as guided by the “2021-2025 strategy”.
This and other strategic plans were outlined by the SAIGA CEO, Russel Morena, in his address at the Annual General Meeting, held at the Institute’s head offices in Centurion last month.
Chaired by SAIGA President, Phillip Rakgwale, the hybrid AGM was well attended by members across the country.
Amid pomp and ceremony, the AGM was physically well graced by several council members who included Lucky Mokoena, Thabang Molapo, Kgothatso Maoko, and new member, Mavuso Shabalala.
The SAIGA financial accountant, Qhamani Noko as well as membership and marketing staff led by Becky Penumlungu.
Guests included a representative from Python for Accountants, Abhijit Singh as well as chairperson of the Africa & Global Committee, Dr Sipho Malapane, had the two audiences spellbound with his hybrid presentation on Africa & Growth initiatives.
Council members welcomed the presidential report and that of the CEO, praising the leadership of the organisation while also reiterating their support for the initiatives as set out in the strategic plan to grow the Institute.
“Our 2021-2025 strategic plan remains on track and the biggest task, needing council support, is to go out in the market and educate people about the RGA designation,” said Morena.
“We are also looking to re-diversify and expand our revenue streams. But most importantly, we’re supporting the council’s vision and strategy.”
Morena reminded members of the upcoming 2nd SAIGA Annual Conference in September.
MEET THE BIRTHDAY BOY
Family is everything to SAIGA financial accountant Qhamani Noko. Q, as Noko is fondly known by his colleagues, is celebrating his birthday this month. His special day came hot on the heels of Father’s Day, on June 20, and Noko celebrated the momentous occasion with family on the Wild
“Days like Father’s Day and birthdays are all about family for me. Nothing beats quality time with my family,” says Noko, who describes himself as a flexible and easy-going person.
“So, like clockwork on special days, we have a tradition of traveling for leisure and the lucky destination this year was the wild coast for the long weekend. Traveling and adventure are what keep me going in life.”
As he turns 28, Q says he is grateful for the gift of life. “A lot of people have lost loved ones over the past two years as we battled with the Covid-19 pandemic, and by God’s grace, my entire family is graced with the gift of life,” he says.