Global Compact Network South Africa Calls on Business and Government to Work Together on Anti-Corruption

The following is an article submitted by a Global Compact Local Network. Please contact the network representative listed below with any questions regarding its contents. 

(Johannesburg, 20 November 2014) - The Global Compact Network South Africa and the National Business Initiative (NBI) called on business and Government to work together in the fight against corruption during a series of events held 19-20 November in Johannesburg.

A CEO Roundtable brought together CEOs of Global Compact signatory companies in South Africa, heads of industry associations and civil society organizations, and Government representatives.  The roundtable was followed by a full-day dialogue on Anti-Corruption & Integrity in Business and the launch of case studies on business anti-corruption practices.

Opening the CEO Roundtable, Elias Masilela, Chairman of the Global Compact Network South Africa, noted that corruption has become one of the greatest threats to global sustainability in the public and private sectors and citizenry. He said, “It has become increasingly clear that partnership and collaboration are vital in dealing with corruption. We all need to be leaders in our own spheres to ensure that we become exemplary advocates in anti-corruption policy efforts and implementation.”

In discussion with business leaders and civil society representatives, the South African government presented their national strategy based on the constitution and various acts and regulations enacted to deal with corruption.  Participants also discussed the destructive nature of perception of corruption in the public sector which results in damage to the reputation and sustainable growth of the country.

The Hon. Minister for Public Services and Administration, Collins Chabane, in his speech delivered by Professor Lekoa Mollo, remarked that South Africa has a sound anti-corruption and ethics infrastructure, strong legislative as well as robust policy frameworks which encourage the reporting of public sector corruption. He stated that anti-corruption is not a task the Government will be able to achieve on its own: “To defeat corruption in all its forms we need united action. We need joint strategies between business, Government and society in general.” 

Olajobi Makinwa, Head of Transparency and Anti-Corruption Initiatives at the UN Global Compact, said, “It is with this in mind that the Global Compact launched the global anti-corruption Call to Action on the global development agenda, an appeal by the private sector to Governments to promote anti-corruption measures and to implement policies that will establish systems of good governance.”

“Anti-corruption is of critical significance in South Africa and globally,” noted Joanne Yawitch, CEO of the NBI. In offsetting the negative perceptions of corruption, she said, “Corruption is a multi-faced beast and if we’re going to get anywhere we all have to come together to tackle it. Setting the rules of the game upfront and getting binding commitments from both Government and business will build public confidence of collective action against corruption in South Africa.”

To move forward with concrete anti-corruption collaboration between Government and business, Hon. Collins Chabane welcomed business to work together to address corruption, reiterated Government’s commitment and acknowledged that no one sector can on their own win the fight against corruption.

The conversation and discussions continued at a larger business dialogue on anti-corruption where the Global Compact Network launched a collection of case studies showcasing how South African companies across different sectors are detecting, preventing and mitigating the risk of corruption. The case studies show a growing maturity among companies in understanding corruption risks and implementing a range of ways to manage these risks in operations and supply chains.

The CEO Roundtable and related events take place as the UN Global Compact prepares to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Anti-Corruption Principle, which states that “business should work against corruption in all its forms including extortion and bribery”. More than 75 South African companies are signatories to the Global Compact.

• Learn more about the Global Compact Network South Africa

Contact

Dr. Achieng Ojwang
Network Representative
Global Compact Network South Africa
achiengO@nbi.org.za