Leaders of Change: Igniting Ethical Governance in our Communities

Moderator: Mr. Zolani SS Zonyane, Editorial Director, Webinar Curator & Moderator, The Municipal Edge

• Role and Contribution: As the moderator, Zonyane set the stage for the discussion, emphasising the importance of ethical governance and leadership in addressing societal challenges within municipalities. He introduced the panellists and framed the conversation around solution-driven approaches, referencing the Code of Ethical Leadership developed by the Ethics Institute in partnership with various governmental bodies. Zonyane highlighted the need for community-wide leadership, capacity building, and the application of ethical principles across all stakeholders interacting with municipalities. He facilitated audience engagement through polls and Q&A, encouraging practical solutions to ethical challenges. In his closing remarks, he underscored the value of the audience's contributions and the need to continue these discussions to foster transformation in local governance.

Mr. Anton Groenewald, Group Head Regional Operations, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality

• Contribution: Groenewald provided a practitioner's perspective, focusing on the legal and practical aspects of ethical governance. He analysed key legislative frameworks, such as the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), noting the lack of explicit definitions for ethical conduct, which creates ambiguity. He cited specific sections (e.g., Sections 60, 61, 62, 74) that mandate fiduciary responsibilities and transparency but highlighted their inconsistent enforcement. Groenewald shared practical examples from his experience, including:
  • Unauthorised Possession Policy: Introducing a 'one-strike' rule for unauthorised materials to address cable theft without immediate punitive measures.
  • Traffic Testing Fraud: Implementing CCTV and random testing to curb corruption at a traffic testing station, despite challenges in proving fraud.
  • Diesel Theft Case: Using gross negligence to address unaccounted fuel loss, leading to dismissals.
  • Technology Integration: Using gadgets to reduce overtime and material waste in water and sanitation services.
• He emphasised the importance of clear policies, technology, and consequence management to enforce ethical behaviour, while noting the challenges of political interference and weak enforcement at higher government levels. In his closing, he urged attendees to be ambassadors for ethical decision-making in their daily operations, stressing practical, day-to-day actions to uphold integrity.

Dr. Harlan Cloete, Chairman, Founder Member, Radio KC 107.7FM

• Contribution: Dr. Cloete focused on the role of communities and community radio in fostering ethical governance. He argued that leadership is central to institutional success, questioning whether ethics can be taught or caught through modelled behaviour. He shared initiatives like the Knowledge Sharing Festival, which connects academia, business, community, and government to share best practices and empower youth with opportunities. Cloete emphasised the need for civic education to enable communities to actively participate in governance, noting that the ward committee system often fails due to political biases. He highlighted the importance of community radio as a platform for storytelling and holding power accountable. In his closing, he critiqued hierarchical and politicised leadership models in municipalities, advocating for a compassionate leadership approach that fosters trust and a strong work culture. He stressed that ethical culture requires courageous leadership and addressing systemic issues like poor work ethic and lack of community participation.

Ms. Nosipho P. Hlatshwayo, Chief Executive Officer, South African Cities Network

• Contribution: Hlatshwayo emphasised the inseparability of ethical leadership and responsible governance, advocating for leaders who prioritise societal value over personal gain. She highlighted the need for leaders to understand their mental models and the broader system to make ethical decisions. Drawing from her experience, she stressed that ethical leadership extends to all levels, including administrative roles like supply chain management, where delays or inaction can have systemic consequences. She proposed practical tools like transparent open data systems to combat corruption and build public trust, citing examples like bid process dashboards. Hlatshwayo also called for evolving public participation models to engage modern, globally connected citizens and anticipate future challenges. In her closing, she reiterated the economic cost of unethical behaviour, the interdependence of government spheres, and the need for systems that allow municipal workers to reflect on their ethical conduct. She advocated for ongoing integrity assessments and environments that support self-reflection to maintain ethical standards.

Dr. Lungelwa Kaywood, Executive Member, CIGFARO Western Cape Branch

• Contribution: Dr. Kaywood underscored the urgency of ethical governance as the foundation of trust between municipalities and communities, arguing that it is not a luxury but a necessity for functional democracy. She emphasised that South Africa's legislative framework (e.g., MFMA, PFMA) is robust but lacks consistent enforcement, rendering laws as mere suggestions without consequence management. Drawing from her experience as a deputy municipal manager, she highlighted the ripple effects of ethical lapses and the need for accountability free from political influence. Kaywood referenced the King IV Report, which applies ethical governance principles to municipalities, emphasising that good governance starts with the character of leaders, not just rules. She cited a case where a municipality's attempt to enforce ethical conduct failed due to higher-level inaction, illustrating enforcement challenges. In her closing, she urged all attendees to act as change agents by modelling integrity, promoting transparency, and demanding rigorous consequence management to drive sustainable development and social justice.

Key Themes and Takeaways

• Legislative Framework and Enforcement: All panellists acknowledged the existence of robust laws but emphasised the need for consistent enforcement and consequence management to ensure ethical behaviour.
• Community Engagement: Cloete and Hlatshwayo stressed empowering communities through civic education and transparent systems to enhance participation and trust.
• Practical Solutions: Groenewald and Hlatshwayo highlighted practical tools like technology (e.g., CCTV, gadgets, open data systems) and policy adjustments to address ethical challenges.
• Leadership and Culture: Cloete and Kaywood emphasised the role of leadership in setting an ethical tone, advocating for compassionate and courageous leadership to foster a culture of integrity.
• Systemic Interdependence: Hlatshwayo and Kaywood noted that ethical governance requires collaboration across all government spheres, not just municipalities.
• Continuous Reflection and Assessment: Hlatshwayo proposed ongoing integrity assessments to ensure leaders remain fit for purpose, while all panellists emphasised self-reflection and accountability.

The webinar concluded with a call to action for attendees to champion ethical leadership, implement practical solutions, and foster transparency and accountability to transform local governance and uplift communities.