Placing schools at the centre of South Africa’s developmental and economic needs has seen an innovative leadership development programme scoop a prestigious governance award.Partners for Possibility (PfP) won the Guardian of Governance Award at a glittering gala dinner during the 21st Southern African Internal Audit Conference in Sandton, Johannesburg on Tuesday night.

The three-day conference is hosted by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA SA) and features a veritable Who’s Who of business, government, thought leaders and award-winning journalists speaking during the various sessions. They include Acting SARS Commissioner Mark Kingon, governance guru Professor Mervyn King, author and journalist Jacques Pauw, SABC executive producer Busisiwe Ntuli, business strategist Zipho Sikhakhane and David Lewis of Corruption Watch.The inaugural Guardian of Governance Award was given to then-Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, in 2016, while last year the group of journalists known as the SABC 8 won it after protesting against the public broadcasters’ questionable editorial policies.

Now, in a first, an organisation that partners public school principals with business leaders and organisations has been selected to receive an accolade that seeks to entrench the principles of good corporate governance, ethical behaviour and inclusive growth.PfP initiated its award-winning leadership development and support programme in 2010.

The aim was to forge partnerships “in a reciprocal co-learning and co-action partnership”. Thus far 833 partnerships have been launched in all nine provinces with the beneficiaries being at least 660 000 pupils as well as 20 625 teachers. One such principal, Colleen Rustin, from St. Anthony’s R.C. Primary in Cape Town, said: “As a result of the programme there is a sense of ownership at our school. Teachers are volunteering their time and services and our children are benefiting. We are now working on changing our curriculum to serve our children’s needs”. This year PfP will launch over 250 more partnerships with the goal of 2 000 being attained by 2022.

Dr Robyn Whittaker of Symphonia, the organisation behind the PfP programme, said: “We are truly grateful to be recognised for our work wherein we place schools at the heart of the community and see this as a critical tool to spur economic growth. This can only be achieved through an understanding of the principles of good corporate governance and organisational health.”She said the aim of the programme was to give school principals the confidence and knowledge to lead while also ensuring the development of a cohesive school management team, a strong teaching body and a community actively invested in the school’s wellbeing. “We see our work as energising school principals, teachers as well as the parents and community. We want to create a sustainable school transformation process”.

IIA SA CEO, Dr Claudelle von Eck, said PfP was a worthy recipient of the Guardian of Governance Award, given its track record in driving through social cohesion and socio-economic growth.“Their initiative is underpinned by the basic principles that good corporate governance, ethical behaviour and accountability are key drivers to our country’s economic success as well as positive social growth.”IIA SA Chairman, Vonani Chauke, said PfP’s formula in placing public schools at the centre of transformation has been so successful that several countries abroad were now studying its model.“Any nation-building initiative is not only judged by its output but the unquantifiable value it provides to society. PfP ticks both boxes and are worthy winners of the Guardian of Governance Award.”

The conference meanwhile, attended by the IIA SA’s members from both the public and private sectors, ends on Wednesday with both Mervyn King and David Lewis speaking. King’s speech is titled “Where were the internal auditors?” while Lewis will be speaking on whether corruption is just a perception.

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About IIA SA
The Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIA SA) is part of an international network representing the interests of Internal Auditors worldwide. As a part of this international network, the IIA SA upholds and supports the fundamental tenets of the profession - the Code of Ethics and the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. The IIA SA supports the profession by providing a wide range of services dedicated to the education and advancement of internal auditors and dynamically promotingand developing the profession in South Africa. The IIA SA’s objectives are to build the profession, its credibility and a thriving business environment in South Africa.

Groundbreaking NGO Scoops Prestigious Governance Award Johannesburg 14 August 2018 - Placing schools at the centre of South Africa’s developmental and economic needs has seen an innovative leadership development programme scoop a prestigious governance award.Partners for Possibility (PfP) won the Guardian of Governance Award at a glittering gala dinner during the 21st Southern African Internal Audit Conference in Sandton, Johannesburg on Tuesday night. The three-day conference is hosted by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA SA) and features a veritable Who’s Who of business, government, thought leaders and award-winning journalists speaking during the various sessions.

They include Acting SARS Commissioner Mark Kingon, governance guru Professor Mervyn King, author and journalist Jacques Pauw, SABC executive producer Busisiwe Ntuli, business strategist Zipho Sikhakhane and David Lewis of Corruption Watch.The inaugural Guardian of Governance Award was given to then-Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, in 2016, while last year the group of journalists known as the SABC 8 won it after protesting against the public broadcasters’ questionable editorial policies.Now, in a first, an organisation that partners public school principals with business leaders and organisations has been selected to receive an accolade that seeks to entrench the principles of good corporate governance, ethical behaviour and inclusive growth.PfP initiated its award-winning leadership development and support programme in 2010. The aim was to forge partnerships “in a reciprocal co-learning and co-action partnership”. Thus far 833 partnerships have been launched in all nine provinces with the beneficiaries being at least 660 000 pupils as well as 20 625 teachers. One such principal, Colleen Rustin, from St. Anthony’s R.C. Primary in Cape Town, said: “As a result of the programme there is a sense of ownership at our school. Teachers are volunteering their time and services and our children are benefiting.

We are now working on changing our curriculum to serve our children’s needs”. This year PfP will launch over 250 more partnerships with the goal of 2 000 being attained by 2022.Dr Robyn Whittaker of Symphonia, the organisation behind the PfP programme, said: “We are truly grateful to be recognised for our work wherein we place schools at the heart of the community and see this as a critical tool to spur economic growth. This can only be achieved through an understanding of the principles of good corporate governance and organisational health.”She said the aim of the programme was to give school principals the confidence and knowledge to lead while also ensuring the development of a cohesive school management team, a strong teaching body and a community actively invested in the school’s wellbeing.

“We see our work as energising school principals, teachers as well as the parents and community. We want to create a sustainable school transformation process”. IIA SA CEO, Dr Claudelle von Eck, said PfP was a worthy recipient of the Guardian of Governance Award, given its track record in driving through social cohesion and socio-economic growth.“Their initiative is underpinned by the basic principles that good corporate governance, ethical behaviour and accountability are key drivers to our country’s economic success as well as positive social growth.”IIA SA Chairman, Vonani Chauke, said PfP’s formula in placing public schools at the centre of transformation has been so successful that several countries abroad were now studying its model.“Any nation-building initiative is not only judged by its output but the unquantifiable value it provides to society. PfP ticks both boxes and are worthy winners of the Guardian of Governance Award.”The conference meanwhile, attended by the IIA SA’s members from both the public and private sectors, ends on Wednesday with both Mervyn King and David Lewis speaking. King’s speech is titled “Where were the internal auditors?” while Lewis will be speaking on whether corruption is just a perception.

--ENDS--

About IIA SA
The Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIA SA) is part of an international network representing the interests of Internal Auditors worldwide. As a part of this international network, the IIA SA upholds and supports the fundamental tenets of the profession - the Code of Ethics and the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. The IIA SA supports the profession by providing a wide range of services dedicated to the education and advancement of internal auditors and dynamically promoting and developing the profession in South Africa. The IIA SA’s objectives are to build the profession, its credibility and a thriving business environment in South Africa.

Cheryl NaiduPR Liaison (At Vogue Communications)Tel: +27 73 524 6034Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.