Do you think that Government social spending is
effective? How do you think that government could
more make more effective use of the massive
resources allocated to social spending?
TR: is it effective? Not really, no. Because there is no
cohesion and lots of tenderpreneurs. The solution? Create
sectorial National Initiatives, with good Civil Society
governance and project management experts, with typical
project management KPA's and KPI's, SLA's and
independent Measurable, Reportable, Verifiable (MRV's).
Create a special unit similar to the Green Scorpions, but
operating in the social delivery sector.
Anon: I am not so sure that it is effective – there seems to be
a hit and run approach. Government has implemented
some very good projects but often with no follow through.
Do you think that South Africa's social issues can ever
be effectively addressed?
TR: Of course they can. The system is fairly simple:
Create CSR norms and standards and quality assurance
procedures for CSR and other social project similar to those
you have for any good practices in various sectors. (Ed: like
the ISO featured in our first issue perhaps?) Create a
National Charter for Social responsibility and investment.
Select and screen bona fides and tested eco-social
enterprises to do the work. Have an education and training
CSR academy for good practices in the sector so that
Companies and other civil society stakeholders, like
churches, can measure their effectiveness and
performance, as well as their impact and performance.
What would you like to see done differently with the
massive resources currently allocated to these issues?
TR: This should be discussed between ethical and
reputable groups setting up the sector norms and
standards, rules and procedures for good practices, the
accountability and transparency principles of these funds.
And a national audit and report system of the various
programs implemented. And look for the appropriate
government champion to oversee and govern such a
process.
Anon: We have glaring social issues like education, health,
housing etc. I would like to suggest that social issues be
tackled as per Charter sectors. For example, an industry
sector could, for the next five years, channel all their funds
into this social issue in which they have some investment
and knowledge – construction could, for instance, come
together and find a solution to the housing problems, the
Financial Sector could look at Education etc.
Photograph: Valerio Veo
CORPORATE SOCIAL REVIEW
11