Newsletter| “We are in crisis. There is no trust and no morale”: Brand SA, the state-owned company entrusted with promoting South Africa’s image, is in shambles amid allegations of an irregular tender and demands by the board for a pay hike
No chief executive, chief financial officer or marketing boss raises fears among staff that the organisation is in crisispromoting South Africa’s image is in shambles, amid allegations of an irregular tender and demands by the board for a pay hike.ed on special leave last April, following his announcement that he wanted to commission a forensic investigation into a questionable tender for a digital marketing agency.
They also spoke of the fear and suspicion that pervades the organisation following the appointment in August of board member Thembi Kunene-Msimang as acting CEO. “To this end, the minister will further engage the board to ascertain its plans to stabilise the organisation.” This, they say, leaves a significant chunk of the company’s executive in the hands of the board and is contrary to good corporate governance principles.
Another allegation is that staff are instructed to include board members on overseas trips, including Kweyama’s trip to Davos in January, her trip to the UN General Assembly last year and another board member’s trip to New Zealand last year. Meanwhile, the suspension of Thomas, widely regarded as a stickler for good financial management, has staff up in arms.
It is alleged, however, that Kweyama wanted to receive a full-time board chair’s remuneration of more than R800 000 a year, and the board wanted R700 000 for the deputy chair and R600 000 for its audit and risk committee chair. “When we did the preliminary investigation it was clear that we could not ignore it, and the allegations were coming from the people she was working with,” she said.
“Kweyama and the board insisted that she divulge information on the content and progress of the investigation, which is confidential. “I have never had any complaints in my 20-plus years as a marketer. I am a high performer who exceeded expectations,” she said.City Press has obtained a copy of a draft internal audit report, compiled by BDO Advisory following its review of the 2014 digital marketing tender awarded to agency Avatar.
The report goes on to state that Avatar’s billing was not specific and was instead based on an hourly rate per employee working on the account. Avatar was awarded the R18 million contract in 2014, but was paid R33 million by the time its three-year contract ended.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
SA professor makes 'biggest breakthrough in SA dermatology'After an extensive study, internationally-renowned South African dermatologist Ncoza Dlova has discovered that a newly identified gene might be the cause of hair loss in African women.
Read more »
What’s in City Press today: Ace Magashule exposed, Brand SA in shambles, Zuma allies ‘snub’ ANC campaignIn City_Press today: New book reveals dodgy dealings of Ace Magashule; senior ANC leaders associated with Zuma are accused of taking on a low profile during ANC election campaign; Pule Mabe says he was not suspended but took extended leave
Read more »
Dark days for SA with dirty politicsIt's always darkest before the dawn, so goes the proverb.
Read more »
SA pilot behind Botswana crash called friend from aircraft, looking for wife - reportA friend of pilot Charl Viljoen who flew into a clubhouse in Botswana realised something was wrong when Viljoen called him from the aircraft asking about his wife's whereabouts, according to reports.
Read more »
Tourism accommodation income down 3.7% – Stats SAThe types which recorded the largest negative year-on-year growth in income were guest-houses and guest-farms.
Read more »
SA at the bottom of the pile in transition towards clean energyThe dominance of coal as the major source of electrical energy supply has meant SA is very far behind in terms of environmentally sustainable energy generation, worse than even Venezuela
Read more »
AKA over the moon with Nickelodeon Kids Choice awardThe Supa Mega won the award for Favourite SA Star.
Read more »
This SA coffee chain is beating Starbucks at its own game - here's how they manage it“[Starbucks] largely accounts for our success,' says one of South Africa's largest coffee chains, and it is not kidding.
Read more »
BUSINESS MAVERICK: Take more savings offshore, money managers urge SA investorsIncreasingly, financial advisers are recommending that SA investors take as much of their discretionary investments out of the country as they can. But is taking 100% of your investment income out of the country sensible, never mind unpatriotic?
Read more »