Presentation to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology – The Annual Report for the financial year 2006/07 30 October 2007

AISA TEAM Prof. Nthabiseng Ogude - Chairperson of the Council Prof Bernard Lategan- Member of the Council Prof Nicholas Biekpe- Member of the Council Dr Matlotleng P. Matlou- Chief Executive Officer Dr Sifiso Ndlovu- Director: Research Coordination

Table of Contents Introduction Challenges Achievements Governance Structures Financial Management Way Forward Questions

Introduction The 2006/07 Financial Year was a difficult year for AISA in many respects. High attrition rates rates within three tiers of Management. The COO, Mr Mashumi Mazaidume resigned on 30 April 2006 The Director: Publications, Ms Beth le Roux resigned on 31 May 2006 Acting CEO, Ms Kate Moloto resigned on 30 June 2006 after two months of employ of AISA The CFO, Mr Kehla Moloi resigned on 31 July 2006 The CEO, Dr Edward Maloka resigned on 31 August 2006 The Director: Library and Documentations Services, Mrs Amanda Wortmann resigned on 31 October 2006 Acting Director: Publications, Ms Kirstin Kilian resigned on 28 February 2007

Introduction (Cont’d) AISA experienced also high attrition rates at middle management level. The Council appointed MANCO on 01 July 2006 to manage the day-to-day activities of AISA This means that AISA operated for at least eight months without an Accounting Officer There were no Internal Auditors for the better part of the 2006/07 financial year.

Challenges The Auditor-General issued a disclaimer for AISA’s 2006/07 Annual Report Basis of the disclaimer: Lack of internal controls Preparation of the Annual financial statements not in accordance with GAAP and GRAP Asset verification The validity, accuracy and completeness of sales and other income Verification of debtors

Achievements Achieved most of the publications targets o Retained the accreditation of Africa Insight o Investment in plagiarism software o Published 4 issues of Africa Insight o Published 4 books Hosted three High-level Conferences/Seminars: o Jointly hosted Social Science Conferences with HSRC [27-29 September 2006] o Hosted President Salva Kiir’s Lecture series [30 November 2006] - “Centering Southern Sudan: Visions for Development” at the request of the Department of Foreign Affairs” o Hosted Peacekeeping Conference on 14 – 16 March 2007

Governance Structures New Council appointed for a triennial period, from 01 January 2007 New Council Committees established: o Executive Committee o Audit Committee [also to provide governance oversight of the Council] o Research Committee o HR and Finance Committee The Audit Committee will to meet on a monthly basis until normality is restored.

Financial Management Improve Financial Policy framework of AISA o Unwavering compliance to PFMA and relevant treasury regulations Appointed the Internal auditors on 28 February 2007 Capital Expenditure o Revamp the IT infrastructure o Improve security of assets (Library books) Develop a third stream income strategy to avoid over-reliance on the parliamentary grant

Way Forward Addressed the leadership Vacuum Appointed Prof Bobby Soobrayan as the acting CEO from 01 February 2007 to 31 August 2007 Appointed Dr Matlotleng P. Matlou as the new substantive full-time CEO on 01 September 2007 o Appointed full-time Chief Financial Officer from 01 November 2007 o In the process of filling of vacant Senior and Middle Management posts to be completed by the end of December 2007 o Institute Management Committee and other governance structures reconstituted

Way Forward (Cont’d) Improve Financial Management o Developed an Audit Recovery Plan addressing the disclaimer and other risks o Important milestone – 30 November 2007 o Developed a Monitoring and Evaluation System o Undertook review of the macro-policy framework to improve the corporate governance within AISA o The Auditor–General will undertake an interim Audit in February/March 2008 to test the internal controls

Way Forward (Cont’d) Alignment of the Research Strategy o Held a Research Strategy Planning session [25 –26 May 2007] to review AISA Research Agenda o Have developed Quality Management System [QMS] to improve the quality and veracity of research output o AISA will conduct an annual impact assessments to review the relevance of research output o Employ new modalities to increase the research output

Way Forward (Cont’d) Improve Compliance with other pertinent Legislation o Skills Development Act - Developed a Workplace Skills Plan o Employment Equity Act - Developed an Employment Equity Plan o Promotion of Access to Information Act - To develop an Information Manual o Supply Chain Treasury Regulations – To develop the Supply Chain Manual o Performance Management System institutionalized o Reviewed all existing policies and developed new policies to improve the corporate governance within AISA

Way Forward (Cont’d) Business Plan/Shareholder Compact targets o Meet and exceed BP/Shareholder Compact targets o Inculcate the culture of excellence o Implement succession and retention strategy o Avoid qualification in the 2007/08 Financial Year o Improve exponentially AISA’s stakeholders’ perception

Questions?