Author: Debra Sauer

The George Municipality continues to strengthen its commitment to ethical leadership, accountability, and sound governance as part of its Internal Audit Awareness Campaign, with March dedicated to the theme of Good Corporate Governance.

As part of this focus, the Municipality’s Chief Audit Executive (CAE), Jean‑Pierre Rossouw, participated as a panel speaker at the 45th African Corporate Governance Network Conference, held in Cape Town from 17–20 March 2026.

The conference, themed “Charting Africa’s Governance Future: King I Implementation; AI and Digital Transformation; Board Dynamics; ESG and Sustainability”, brought together governance practitioners, regulators, board members, and executives from across the continent to engage on emerging governance, risk, and assurance matters.

Rossouw contributed to a panel discussion titled “Risk Management and Internal Audit: How to Become the Pivot of Board and Council Decision‑Making”, which explored:

• the evolving role of Accounting Officers, Chief Audit Executives and Chief Risk Officers;
• enterprise‑wide risk oversight and assurance;
• risk‑based auditing and integrated reporting; and
• strengthening trust and accountability within public institutions.

The engagement provided an opportunity to share municipal‑level governance perspectives, while also gaining insight into continental best practice and emerging governance trends relevant to the local government environment.

George Municipality views participation in such platforms as part of its broader commitment to strengthening governance systems, embedding risk‑informed decision‑making, and promoting ethical leadership in support of sustainable service delivery.

As part of its Good Governance awareness focus, the Internal Audit function continues to reinforce the message that:

• governance is a shared organisational responsibility;
• risk management must be embedded in decision‑making processes; and
• internal audit plays a strategic assurance and advisory role in strengthening accountability and performance.

George Municipality remains committed to continuous improvement in governance, risk management, and internal control practices for the benefit of the community it serves.

Photo:

In the photo above is CAE, JP Rossouw (far right) participating during the panel discussions at the conference. 

In the photo above, Sivuyile Mtila, Acting Director of Community Services at the time, with some of the participants of the three-day Parent Training Programme hosted by George Municipality in partnership with Kidstop. Due to the vulnerability of the people involved, there faces are not being shown

George Municipality, in partnership with the organisation Kidstop, recently hosted a three-day Parent Training Programme aimed at empowering vulnerable parents currently living on the streets. A total of 15 participants attended the programme, which focused on strengthening parenting knowledge, building life skills and encouraging family unity.

The training covered a range of important topics including the rights and responsibilities of children and parents, budgeting and financial planning, different parenting styles, self-care, the role of fathers, and the impact of substance use on an unborn child.

The programme forms part of the Municipality’s ongoing commitment to social development and community upliftment, particularly among vulnerable groups.

The primary aim of the training was to educate parents, raise awareness around responsible parenting, strengthen relationships and promote family unity within the community.

George Municipality’s Sivuyile Mtila, Acting Director of Community Services at the time, also engaged with participants during the programme, interacting with them and encouraging their continued commitment to building healthier family environments.

In the foto hierbo, by die vieringe is Minister Ricardo MacKenzie met van links Jesnick Pieterse van EPWP, Precious Spengana, Senior biblioteekassistent, Andri Avontuur, Biblioteekassistent.

Die Uniondale Gemeenskapsbiblioteek vier vanjaar ’n merkwaardige mylpaal van 130 jaar as ’n sentrum van kennis, leer en gemeenskapsontwikkeling in die dorp en Minister Ricardo MacKenzie, Provinsiale Minister an Kultuursake en Sport het ‘n hoflikheidsbesoek aan die biblioteek afgelê.

Die viering is onlangs by die biblioteek gehou waar die Minister die geleentheid bygewoon het en die belangrike rol van biblioteke in gemeenskappe beklemtoon het.

MacKenzie het gesê Uniondale Biblioteek  is ’n baie belangrike gemeenskapsbate vir die mense van Uniondale.

Hy het verduidelik dat biblioteke steeds een van die belangrikste hulpmiddels is om gemeenskappe te help ontwikkel en geleenthede te skep, veral in landelike gebiede. Volgens hom help biblioteke om kennis te versprei en mense toegang tot inligting en leergeleenthede te gee.

“Die Uniondale Biblioteek, wat reeds 130 jaar oud is, bly ’n bron van trots vir die gemeenskap. Die biblioteek beskik ook oor spesiale toerusting wat persone met siggestremdhede help om toegang tot boeke en leesmateriaal te kry. Ongeveer 15 siggestremde lede vorm deel van die biblioteek se klubgeskiedenis – ’n bewys dat die biblioteek ’n inklusiewe ruimte vir almal is, het MacKenzie beklemtoon.

MacKenzie het verder beklemtoon dat die bevordering van ’n lees-kultuur steeds ’n prioriteit is. Inwoners neem weekliks boeke uit en bring dit terug, wat wys dat lees steeds ’n belangrike deel van die gemeenskap se lewe is.

Die Wes-Kaapse regering ondersteun meer as 370 biblioteke regoor die provinsie in samewerking met munisipaliteite. Hierdie biblioteke speel ’n sleutelrol in die uitbreiding van kennis en die skep van geleenthede vir gemeenskappe.

Inwoners word aangemoedig om hul plaaslike biblioteke te besoek, ’n boek uit te neem en die waardevolle hulpbronne wat beskikbaar is, te benut.

Fotos:

Minister Ricardo MacKenzie gesels met een van die Uniondale biblioteek se lede.

Minister MacKenzie by die Uniondale Biblioteek.

Die Minister kyk na ‘n boek wat in en uitgeteken is.