Results of the Tenth Annual Public Sector Reporting Awards (financial year ends 2010) published September 2011

The Department of Agriculture the Western Cape is the overall winner of SAIGA's 2011 Reporting Awards (published September 2011).

Other salient features:

The full list of 2011 winners for the financial reporting year ended 31 March 2010 is:

Provincial statistics

Province with highest average score:

The Western Cape province with an average score of 90.81 takes first place amongst provinces.

Independence statement:

The Southern African Institute of Government Auditors received numerous offers for sponsorship of this project and specific categories. We do, however, believe that the information and the findings not only have to reflect absolute independence but that SAIGA also has to be seen and perceived to be independent. Consequently, no sponsor’s name is associated with the project – it is completely self-funded and independent.

Quality assurance statement:

The quality assurance relating to the technical analysis and evaluation, is done by the Department of Auditing, University of Pretoria.

Media statement:

Professor Dieter Gloeck, Executive President of SAIGA and Chairperson of the Award Committee, praised the high scoring departments and pointed to the overall sustained improvement in adherence to reporting standards since the inception of the awards ten years ago.

Consistent scores of above 90 percent are evidence that government departments apply the highest reporting standards – often confused with and overshadowed by media reports of mismanagement of funds and corruption. Whilst the occurrence of corruption and mismanagement is by no means condoned, positive publicity should also be given to achievements which relate to good accountability.

The proper disclosure (according to the reporting standards which are evaluated by the SAIGA Reporting Awards) of information relating to, for example fruitless and wasteful expenditure, irregular and unauthorised expenditure is after all the main source of information for the public debate: full sunshine enables and empowers.

SAIGA’s Executive President highlighted the fact that the statutory performance reporting requirements of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and the Treasury Regulations provided the South African public with a wealth of information not only about the financial results of the departments in an understandable format, but also gave a detailed account of the objectives which were set and whether or not these objectives were met. Further information which has to be disclosed includes reasons for non-performance and actions taken to rectify the situation.

“If the financial and performance disclosure requirements are compared to those of the private sector and especially listed companies which attract investments from the general public, it becomes clear to what extent the private sector accountability arrangements lack behind the public sectors’. Yet the media awards hardly any attention to the achievements in terms of financial reporting in the public sector” remarks Gloeck.

The SAIGA Reporting Awards are now firmly established and have become a highly visible instrument and benchmark to monitor public accountability and transparency in national and provincial departments.

[ 2011 RESULTS ][ TOP 20 LIST ][ MOST CONSISTENT DEPARTMENT ]

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The TOP 20 list of the Tenth SAIGA Reporting Awards - 2011

Since the competition in this year’s SAIGA Reporting Awards was intense, special mention should also be made of departments which achieved a high score, but were not category winners. SAIGA has therefore decided to publish a “Top 20” list.

[ 2011 RESULTS ][ TOP 20 LIST ][ MOST CONSISTENT DEPARTMENT ]

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Most consistent departments SAIGA Reporting Awards - 2011

The prestige of achieving the most consistent high performance over the past three years agan goes to the Department of Education (refer to table below).

Methodology: The positions of the departments on the Top 20 list in the 2011, 2010 and 2009 years were added to arrive at a combined score. Where two departments have the same score the position in this year's Top 20 is deciding. The lower the combined score, the more consistent the department's performance over the three years.

The winners of the 2011 SAIGA Annual Public Sector Reporting Awards in the North West Province: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development – best financial statements in the North West Province.

Seated from left to right: The Accounting Officer (Head of Department) Mr. Iqbal Motala, MEC Mr. Boitumelo Tshwene and Chief Financial Officer Mr. Pakiso Mothupi.

Standing from left to right: Mr. Thabang Tseladimitloa - Chief Director for District Services, Dr.  Poncho Mokaila - Chief Director for Agricultural Support Services and Mr. Malakia Matlhabe - Director for Policy and Planning.

[ 2011 RESULTS ][ TOP 20 LIST ][ MOST CONSISTENT DEPARTMENT ]

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