Public Interest SA
2023 - A glance at the rearview mirror
We are pleased to present the annual activity report for the fiscal year ending 2023. This year has been a year of challenges and opportunities, and we are proud to report that we have made significant progress towards achieving our strategic goals.
A year of growth and transformation, we are proud to report that we have made significant progress towards achieving our strategic goals. We focused on executing our strategic plan to drive impactful growth and transform our organisation. We made significant investments in research and talent development to enhance our capabilities and position ourselves for success in the future.
We closely monitored and adjusted our strategies to navigate the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities that arose.
We are confident in our ability to execute our strategic plan and remain relevant in the years to come. While there may be challenges and uncertainties ahead, we are well-positioned to navigate them and seize the opportunities that arise.
We are committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment. During the year, we continued to focus on our core mandate and initiatives.
Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to our stakeholders, employees, volunteers, and partners for their continued support and dedication.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to delivering value to our communities. We will continue to invest in growth opportunities while maintaining a strong focus on operational efficiency. We are confident in our ability to navigate the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead.
Founder & Chairman - Public Interest SA NPC
This year at a glance
96%
On the 26th of October 2023, we orchestrated a highly successful inaugural Whistleblowers Awards gala dinner that garnered an impressive 96% satisfaction rating.
Retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke delivers keynote address
Areboleleng
Harnessing high-profile book launches as a platform for debating contemporary sociopolitical issues has proven to be an ingenious and effective method for stimulating critical public dialogue and engagement. The Areboleleng project seeks to do just that.
Showcasing the eminent former national director of public prosecutions, Adv Bulelani Ngcuka, in a book launch event expertly facilitated by Adv Tembeka Ngcukaitobi marked the pinnacle moment that introduced the innovative Areboleleng dialogue series.
Public Accountability
Our relentless advocacy and targeted interventions in addressing instances of illicit public procurement practices have played a pivotal role in the annulment of contracts valued at hundreds of millions including at the Office of the Chief Justice. Through these efforts, we have helped safeguard the state from potential losses amounting to millions, thereby reinforcing our commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility in public expenditures.
We persistently advocate for public accountability and legislative improvements, actively engaging in discussions on the imperative for a comprehensive overhaul of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA) and Public Procurement legislation.
Our unwavering commitment to these issues underscores our dedication to fostering a transparent and responsive legislative framework that aligns with the evolving needs of our society.
Governance & Ethics
We have meticulously crafted a comprehensive suite of resources to empower whistleblowers, including the Whistleblowers Pledge, a detailed Guide to Whistleblowing, and, through collaborative efforts with our partners, introduced the groundbreaking Whistleblower First Responder manual. These initiatives stand as a testament to our commitment to providing robust support and fostering a culture that champions the courage and integrity of those who expose wrongdoing.
We are ready to launch our annual business ethics survey.
Key Areas of Impact
Whistleblowing
The positive reception of our whistleblowing initiatives within communities has been truly gratifying. Anticipating their enduring impact, we project these efforts to emerge as a substantial and influential force within our strategic focus areas in the years ahead, reaffirming our dedication to fostering accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct.
The Whistleblowers Summit & Awards initiative stands as a pivotal opportunity for substantial impact, poised to play a key role in propelling our advocacy growth in the upcoming years. Our substantial investment in extensive research, meticulous concept development, and strategic collaborations has brought this initiative to fruition. While pleased with the current outcomes, we are actively engaged in a comprehensive enhancement process for the project, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to continual improvement and meaningful contributions to the realm of whistleblowing advocacy.
Procurement Barometer
In the current year, our primary focus centred on the meticulous refinement of our public procurement monitoring tool (Procurement Barometer), coupled with thorough preparations for the execution of our strategic intervention in our ongoing pursuit of advancing public accountability. Substantial investments were directed towards research and development, cutting-edge technology, and acquiring top-tier talent. These endeavors were undertaken to bolster our capabilities significantly, ensuring that we are well-positioned for the success of our projects in the foreseeable future.
We recognised that research and technology are key enablers of innovation in public accountability mechanisms, and the imperative to make significant investments in areas such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and open data standards to enhance our capabilities.
Expanding into new public interest areas
We identified illicit trades, parallel economies, and money laundering as key public interest areas, and we made significant strides to establish our presence and advocacy in this area.
We undertook a thorough process of market research and analysis to meticulously craft a concept document and a comprehensive strategy for organising the Off The Books summit scheduled for late 2024. Establishing strategic partnerships, we have brought together a diverse group of local and international subject matter experts to contribute their insights and expertise, ensuring that the summit is a thought-provoking and impactful platform.
Looking Ahead
We are excited about a plethora of exciting initiatives that we will be launching in the coming year in partnership with private corporates and and other institutions. These include our key focus areas of Open Procurement, Whistleblowing, Governance, and Public Accountability.
Thanks for journeying with us
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