The Western Cape Government has set high standards for good governance with exceptional audit outcomes for the 2022/23 financial year. Both the provincial departments and entities achieved clean audits, an unparalleled achievement in South Africa, signifying financial transparency and accountability. The government’s commitment to clean governance has laid a strong foundation for addressing service delivery needs and has fostered trust among citizens, local, national, and international partners, contributing to the Western Cape’s reputation as a business-friendly province. Additionally, the province has witnessed remarkable progress in sectors such as crime, education, wellbeing, employment, and economic development.
In a time when trust in government appears to be on the decline, the Western Cape Government (WCG) has raised the bar for good governance by attaining outstanding audit outcomes for the 2022/23 financial year. Both the 14 provincial departments and the 11 entities achieved the best audit outcomes in five years, earning clean audits—an unparalleled achievement in South Africa.
Audit outcomes are categorized by the Auditor-General (AG) into several classifications: unqualified without findings (clean audit), unqualified with findings, qualified, adverse, and disclaimer. A clean audit is the most coveted result, signifying financial transparency and accountability.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde highlights the importance of these outcomes, stating, “We don’t practice good governance just for the sake of it. We do it because it is how we enhance our service delivery.” These outcomes showcase the WCG’s unwavering commitment to clean governance, laying a strong foundation for addressing the service delivery needs of its residents.
Good Governance Leads to Improved Services and Trust
Mireille Wenger, the provincial minister of finance and economic opportunities, supports Winde’s view, asserting that these outcomes serve as “clear and irrefutable proof” of the WCG’s dedication to ethical governance and fiscal discipline. This commitment allows the government to optimize every available Rand, genuinely serving the people of the province.
Moreover, the WCG’s responsible and transparent utilization of funds fosters trust among its citizens, as well as local, national, and international partners. Such trust promotes investment and collaboration, contributing to the Western Cape’s reputation as a business-friendly province.
Apart from the remarkable audit outcomes, the WCG’s progress can also be observed in several sectors, such as crime, education, wellbeing, and employment.
Tangible Progress in Crime, Education, and Wellbeing
In terms of crime, robbery at residential properties decreased by 17.3% in the fourth quarter of the 2022/23 financial year, while sexual offenses declined by 2.4% and murder rates fell by 12.1% compared to previous years. These reductions indicate increased safety for Western Cape residents.
Educational advancements have also been noteworthy. In 2022, the Western Cape experienced a substantial surge in systemic testing results, with 55% of matric students achieving a bachelor’s pass—an improvement from 40.2%. This progress underscores the WCG’s dedication to fostering a well-educated population.
Additionally, the province’s wellbeing has witnessed remarkable improvements, with the number of public-employed doctors per 100,000 people increasing from 43.4 in 2013/14 to 45.9 in 2022/23. The Department of Health and Wellness has implemented a community-oriented primary care (COPC) framework, emphasizing outreach programs and efficient medicine distribution. These efforts encompass home delivery of chronic medication and telehealth care, reducing the necessity for healthcare facility visits.
Employment Growth and Economic Development
The WCG’s emphasis on employment has produced encouraging results. From the second quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2023, about 368,000 jobs were created in the Western Cape, representing a 15.7% increase in employed individuals year-on-year.
Wenger contends that good governance not only benefits residents but also attracts investors and businesses to the province. The WCG’s impressive audit outcomes and progress in various sectors send a strong message that the province is an ideal destination for investment and business expansion. This aligns with the WCG’s economic action plan, Growth for Jobs, which aims to stimulate economic growth and create more job opportunities in the province and across South Africa.
Amidst widespread skepticism towards government, the Western Cape Government’s accomplishments serve as a shining example, demonstrating that with proper financial systems, accountability, and transparency, governments can effectively serve their residents and catalyze positive change.
1. What are the audit outcomes for the Western Cape Government?
Both the provincial departments and entities achieved clean audits for the 2022/23 financial year, an unparalleled achievement in South Africa, signifying financial transparency and accountability.
2. What does a clean audit signify?
A clean audit signifies financial transparency and accountability.
3. What progress has the Western Cape Government witnessed in various sectors?
The province has witnessed remarkable progress in sectors such as crime, education, wellbeing, employment, and economic development.
4. What are the reductions in crime rates in the Western Cape?
Robbery at residential properties decreased by 17.3% in the fourth quarter of the 2022/23 financial year, while sexual offenses declined by 2.4% and murder rates fell by 12.1% compared to previous years.
5. What educational advancements have the Western Cape Government witnessed?
In 2022, the Western Cape experienced a substantial surge in systemic testing results, with 55% of matric students achieving a bachelor’s pass—an improvement from 40.2%.
6. What efforts has the Department of Health and Wellness implemented in the Western Cape?
The Department of Health and Wellness has implemented a community-oriented primary care (COPC) framework, emphasizing outreach programs and efficient medicine distribution. These efforts encompass home delivery of chronic medication and telehealth care, reducing the necessity for healthcare facility visits.
7. What is the employment growth rate in the Western Cape?
From the second quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2023, about 368,000 jobs were created in the Western Cape, representing a 15.7% increase in employed individuals year-on-year.
8. How does good governance benefit residents and attract investors?
Good governance benefits residents by providing improved services and fosters trust among citizens, local, national, and international partners, promoting investment and collaboration, contributing to the Western Cape’s reputation as a business-friendly province.
