ENHANCING GOVERNANCE: DSD’S NEW AUDIT COMMITTEE SETS COURSE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

• The Department of Social Development’s newly appointed audit committee is engaging in an intensive review of the department’s policies and compliance frameworks.
• The audit committee plays a pivotal role in strengthening oversight mechanisms, promoting ethical leadership, and ensuring best practices for financial management.
• The committee’s oversight ensures the department remains accountable to the executive, parliament, and the public.

The Department of Social Development’s newly appointed audit committee is stepping up to maintain a strong governance role to uphold transparency and oversee accountability over management.

The audit committee, which is undergoing an induction phase in Johannesburg, is today, 10 March 2025, engaging in an intensive review of the department’s policies, compliance frameworks, and their critical role in safeguarding public resources.

At the heart of this induction is strategic alignment – ensuring that the committee understands the broader social development landscape, the department’s objectives, and the policies guiding its operations.

With the Department of Social Development tasked with improving the well-being of individuals and communities, the audit committee will play a pivotal role in strengthening oversight mechanisms, promoting ethical leadership, and ensuring financial management aligns with best practices.

Its work is to strengthen governance and accountability regarding the responsible use of public funds and ensure that government initiatives achieve their intended impact.

Over the next two days, committee members will engage with the department’s management and entities, the South African Social Security Agency and the National Development Agency as well as statutory bodies such as the Central Drug Authority to deepen their understanding of risk management, ethical leadership, innovation, and accountability in social development programmes.

These engagements provide a comprehensive overview of the department’s structure, operational costs, and the support required to drive service delivery.

The discussions also emphasise the department’s alignment with the National Development Plan 2030 and the Medium-Term Strategic Framework, which prioritise the building of a capable, ethical, and developmental state, economic transformation and job creation, education, skills development, and healthcare, the strengthening of the country’s social protection and welfare services, and the promotion of social cohesion and community safety.

With just five years remaining to achieve the National Development Plan goals, the audit committee’s role in ensuring accountability and tracking progress is more important than ever.

Key programmes and strategic oversight

The induction also provides an in-depth look at the Department of Social Development’s core programmes, which form the foundation of South Africa’s social protection system:

1. Administration – Ensuring sound governance, financial management, and human resource processes to support departmental operations.
2. Social welfare services – Supporting older persons, persons with disabilities, HIV and Aids interventions, and social relief efforts.
3. Children and families – Overseeing family care services, child and youth care centres, and community-based care for vulnerable children.
4. Restorative services – Addressing crime prevention, victim empowerment, and substance abuse rehabilitation programs.
5. Development and research – Focusing on community mobilisation, capacity-building for non-profit organisations, and poverty alleviation initiatives.

Looking ahead: a stronger governance framework

With a firm understanding of these programmes and their impact, the audit committee members are better equipped to oversee performance management, financial management, compliance, and strategic decision-making.

Their oversight ensures the department remains accountable to the executive, to parliament, and to the public, ensuring the Department of Social Development aligns its priorities with national policies, and delivers essential social services efficiently.

As discussions progress, emphasis will be placed on strengthening internal controls, risk management and sound governance practices.

Committee members engaged in robust deliberations on the department’s vision of ‘Building a Caring Society’ – a principle that underscores the department’s commitment to fostering self-reliance and breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability.

In addition, the committee explored how the Department of Social Development can leverage technology to enhance service delivery using data-driven insights to identify challenges and guide targeted interventions.

As South Africa moves towards a digital future, ensuring that the department is equipped with modern tools will be essential in improving service efficiency and responsiveness.

Through these engagements, the audit committee is poised to play a vital role in strengthening governance, promoting financial integrity, and ensuring that social development initiatives have a meaningful and lasting impact.

The successful candidates were appointed through the department’s selection process and formally appointed by the Minister of Social Development Nokuzola Tolashe. The six audit committee members are C Boltman, Dr M Zakwe, S Mkhize, C Simpson, Dr Z Qunta, and M Livhusha.