Public Sector Leaders

Welcome to the November edition of Public Sector Leaders! Brought to you by Topco Media! In his letter to the nation on Monday 18 November, President Cyril Ramaphosa focused on the stand-off at the abandoned Stilfontein gold mine which has been going on for over a month – with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other Government agencies working to resolve a situation of several hundred illegal miners refusing to come to the surface. “As a Government, we have made a clear determination to deal with acts of criminality, whether they be cash-in-transit heists, extortion, illegal mining, gang violence, or related crimes.” Our November cover celebrates Africa Industrialisation Day - commemorated on 20 November each year to raise awareness around the world about how industrialisation plays a critical role in the continent’s development. Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, the theme for this year is “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Green Industrialisation to Accelerate Africa's Structural Transformation”. Our Trailblazer for November is Prof Thabo Legwaila, Chief Executive Officer at Office of the Tax Ombud, and in Financial Fitness we delve into how South African Revenue Service (SARS) is enlisting the help of AI to ensure compliance. Our Regional Focus takes a look at Mpumalanga’s connectivity revolution, while our Legal Matters article addresses workplace bullying. With the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill being signed into law, we unpack all you need to know about this important piece of education legislation. Notable contributors make a return in the latest edition, with Sue Ramauthar, Wandile Sihlobo & Mmaki Jantjies (PhD) adding key insights in the areas of Health & Wellness, Agricultural Production and the 4th Industrial Revolution. Last but not least, if you ever suffer a modicum of frustration during traffic congestion on our roads, then have a look at the feature on PRASA Group's road to recovery and reviving the rail network. Read the November Edition of Public Sector Leaders here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Zjshj0 #Industrialisation #AI #AfricaRising #Innovation #Education #Government #PublicSectorLeaders #Publication #TopcoMedia #SouthAfrica

🎉 Happy Holidays from Public Sector Leaders! 🎉 As we wrap up another impactful year, we extend our warmest wishes to all the incredible leaders, innovators, and changemakers within the public and private sectors. Your dedication to serving communities and driving progress inspires us every day. ✨ May your holiday season be filled with joy, reflection, and time well-spent with loved ones. Here's to new opportunities, meaningful connections, and continued success in the year ahead! We look forward to sharing your stories and celebrating your achievements in 2025!👏 #PublicSectorLeaders #Publication #TopcoMedia #SouthAfrica

Sporting Action - Bafana Bafana Are Back ⚽ 🇿🇦 It seems the boys are back - inspiring hope and stirring national pride. Led by the humble superstar goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who earned his 50th appearance for the national side in their 3 - 0 victory over South Sudan in their final African Cup of Nations qualifier, the team has only lost one game in their last 20. Bafana will go into next year’s AFCON as one of the favourites and look to cement this purple patch by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Whatever happens, South Africans have had a peak into the force the national team can become and the likes of Lyle Foster and Percy Tau may join their predecessors in the history books. Read the full article from the latest edition here: https://hubs.la/Q02_pz9J0 South African Football Association #Sports #SouthAfrica #AfricaRising #PublicSectorLeaders #Publication #TopcoMedia

Financial Fitness - AI and Compliance 🤖✍️ The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning as tools in its tax compliance strategy, marking a significant shift toward data-driven enforcement. These technologies have proved efficient in identifying non-compliance, and SARS’ AI-driven initiatives have helped secure billions in additional revenue. By embracing AI, SARS has revolutionised its tax compliance framework, allowing it to track financial transactions, assess risks, and spot discrepancies with speed and precision. According to SARS Commissioner, Ed Kieswetter, the integration of AI has enabled the agency to identify and prevent fraudulent activities in record time, exemplified by a recent case where AI detected R10-billion in impermissible refunds within seconds. Read the full article from the latest edition here: https://hubs.la/Q02_dd-J0 #AI #Tax #Innovation #PublicSectorLeaders #Publication #TopcoMedia

We are thrilled to welcome Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc to the next edition of the Public Sector Leaders publication! Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) is a full service law firm consisting of more than 260 lawyers and with a track record spanning over 171 years. They provide experienced corporate and commercial legal support and authentic, knowledge-based and cost-effective legal services for clients looking to do business in key markets across Africa. As a Level 1 B-BBEE Contributor, they bring together the resources and expertise of leading business law firms across the continent that have direct experience acting for governments, state agencies and multinational organisations, which produces extensive African capability. With first hand, in-depth experience, CDH is able to offer sector-specific expertise and knowledge of regulatory nuances to provide an exceptional integrated service across Africa. #PublicSectorLeaders #Publication #TopcoMedia #SouthAfrica

The Skills Imperative When Powering Up The 4th Industrial Revolution By Mmaki Jantjies (PhD), Group Executive : Innovation and Transformation at Telkom & Advisory Council Member at the National Advisory Council on Innovation If towards the end of the global pandemic you’d told data science researchers that, just two years later, large language models would be dominating dinner table discussions, they’d have likely greeted your prediction with a healthy dose of scepticism. Yet it’s undoubtedly the case that the past two years have been dominated by conversations about Artificial Intelligence and its impact on various countries across the world. Globally and in South Africa, policy discussions have not only engaged with the importance of responsible AI and data protection training for organisations seeking to use this technology but the importance of having skills which contribute towards the growth of the digital revolution in order for South Africa to remain competitive. Read the full article from the latest edition here: https://hubs.la/Q02-HqnF0 #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology #PublicSectorLeaders #Publication #TopcoMedia

South Africa's Education System Gets a Major Overhaul with BELA Act ✍️🎓 The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill has been signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa, marking a significant step towards transforming and enhancing the nation’s basic education system. President Ramaphosa signed the BELA Bill into law in September at a ceremony held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This historic legislative change marks a milestone achievement in the government’s mission to reshape South Africa’s education sector. Recognising the diverse opinions on the BELA Act, particularly on admissions and language policies, President Ramaphosa has allowed three months for public engagement on two contentious clauses. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has long recognised the need for structural changes to serve South African learners better. According to DBE Chief Director for Planning and Implementation Support, James Ndlebe, the BELA Act introduces changes primarily focused on governance, school policy, and accountability. Read the full article from the latest edition here: https://hubs.la/Q02ZZ3rN0 #Politics #Education #Government #PublicSectorLeaders #Publication #TopcoMedia

The Stand-off at Stilfontein Must Be Resolved Peacefully and Safely ⛏️ In his letter penned to the nation on 18 November, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa focused on the stand-off at the abandoned Stilfontein gold mine which has been going on for over a month, “The miners, who entered the mine to conduct illegal mining operations, face arrest. The operation forms part of the nationwide Operation Vala Umgodi, which continues to register gains in cracking down on illicit mining activities across the country. Law-enforcement authorities have information that some of the miners may be heavily armed. It is well established that illegal miners are recruited by criminal gangs and form part of wider organised crime syndicates,” His Excellency outlined the hazardous nature of illicit and unregulated mining which poses considerable risk in terms of explosives, the inhalation of toxic fumes and the possible collapse of unstable mine shafts - which endangers not only the illegal miners, but also the police and other law enforcement agencies who have been negotiating to get them to the surface and to safety. As part of the operation, police have closed off the entrances the illegal miners use to transport their supplies underground, which has generated public debate about the rights of illegal miners. For more information, read the full article from the latest edition here: https://hubs.la/Q02ZNKKh0 #Crime #Mining #Government #PublicSectorLeaders #Publication #SouthAfrica

The State of Our Rhinos - A Fight For Survival 🦏 Each year in September the International Rhino Foundation publishes their report, “State of the Rhino”, which documents current population estimates and trends. On World Rhino Day in September the community of Mpumalanga celebrated the work of the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary, with more than 113 rhinos having been rescued and rehabilitated, including 51 rhinos rewilded and 29 calves born at the sanctuary. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Care for Wild and SANParks, where black and white rhinos from the Kruger National Park are rescued and brought to the sanctuary, was the most crucial first step in the Care for Wild journey. The ongoing dehorning programme of all rhinos in core areas of Kruger National Park continues to save rhinos – as does the Park’s zero tolerance of any staff who are caught aiding and abetting poachers. “Under the leadership of the head ranger, the continued implementation of the KNP Ranger Services Integrity Management Plan is not only assisting in the Kruger National Park but is setting a benchmark for other parks to follow. Indeed, it is being hailed as a model around the globe.” -State of the Rhino. Read the full article from the latest edition here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Z28g90 #Conservation #Wildlife #Nature #PublicSectorLeaders #Publication #TopcoMedia