Western Cape’s Exceptional Audit Results Demonstrate Good Governance Commitment

The Western Cape Government in South Africa has achieved exceptional audit results for the 2022/23 fiscal year, with all 14 provincial departments and 11 entities receiving unqualified audits. This achievement highlights the WCG’s dedication to transparent governance and accountable financial practices, creating an atmosphere that invites local, national, and global partnerships. The province has experienced significant progress in various sectors, including reduced crime rates, advanced educational outcomes, improved public health, and expanded employment. Good governance also fosters investment and encourages business expansion, generating more job opportunities in the province and South Africa.

In an extraordinary milestone, the Western Cape Government (WCG) announced that all 14 provincial departments and 11 entities obtained unqualified audits for the 2022/23 fiscal year. This achievement represents the finest audit results for the WCG in the past five years. Premier Alan Winde and Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, credit this accomplishment to the WCG’s dedication to transparent governance and accountable financial practices.

Upholding Ethical Governance Standards

The Auditor-General (AG) evaluates audit outcomes across numerous classifications, such as unqualified, qualified, adverse, and disclaimer audits. An unqualified audit without findings (clean audit) is the most favorable outcome, while unqualified audits with findings are still regarded as preferable. Minister Wenger stressed that these exceptional results demonstrate the WCG’s commitment to ethical governance, fiscal discipline, and resource efficiency.

This transparency in fund allocation showcases the WCG’s responsibility towards its citizens, creating an atmosphere that invites local, national, and global partnerships. Due to the WCG’s responsible financial practices, investors and partners can securely engage in business in the Western Cape, confident that their resources will be managed effectively and responsibly.

Connecting Good Governance with Enhanced Service Delivery

In recent years, the Western Cape has experienced significant progress in various sectors, highlighting the relationship between transparent governance and improved service delivery. Some noteworthy accomplishments include:

• Reduced crime rates: The frequency of robbery at residential premises, sexual offenses, and murder has decreased compared to the average recorded between 2018/19 and 2022/23.

• Advanced educational outcomes: Western Cape systemic testing results showed positive progress, with a rise in Foundation Phase achievements and progress in other grades. Additionally, 55% of matric candidates secured a bachelor’s pass, up from 40.2%.

• Improved public health: The number of public-employed physicians per 100,000 people increased from 43.4 in 2013/14 to 45.9 in 2022/23. The province’s Human Development Index improved from 0.61 to 0.74 over the last 20 years. Furthermore, since 2020/21, the Department of Health and Wellness adopted a community-oriented primary care framework, focusing on outreach initiatives and efficient medicine distribution.

• Expanded employment: The Western Cape generated 368,000 jobs between the second quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2023, resulting in a 15.7% increase in employed individuals year-on-year, outperforming all other provinces.

Fostering Investment and Encouraging Business Expansion

Minister Wenger explained that good governance indicates to investors and businesses that they can rely on the WCG. This trust is essential for attracting additional investment and supporting business startups and growth in the province. The WCG’s economic action plan, Growth for Jobs, aims to foster breakout economic growth, generating more job opportunities in the province and South Africa.

Premier Winde emphasized that the WCG’s dedication to good governance ensures equitable and just treatment for its residents, with no tolerance for corruption and unequal treatment. He expressed confidence that the WCG would continue to innovate and efficiently manage resources despite the imminent national fiscal crisis, building upon their established track record of transparent governance and fairness.

In closing, Minister Wenger expressed her gratitude and congratulations to her Cabinet colleagues, Heads of Departments, accounting officers, and Provincial treasury officials, who collaborated diligently to achieve these remarkable audit outcomes. Their unwavering commitment to implementing and adhering to robust financial practices benefits not only the Western Cape but also sets a high standard for the rest of South Africa.

1. What are the audit results achieved by the Western Cape Government in the 2022/23 fiscal year?

The Western Cape Government has achieved exceptional audit results for the 2022/23 fiscal year, with all 14 provincial departments and 11 entities receiving unqualified audits.

2. What does this achievement highlight about the Western Cape Government’s governance?

This achievement highlights the Western Cape Government’s dedication to transparent governance and accountable financial practices, creating an atmosphere that invites local, national, and global partnerships.

3. What sectors have experienced significant progress in the Western Cape due to good governance?

The Western Cape has experienced significant progress in various sectors, including reduced crime rates, advanced educational outcomes, improved public health, and expanded employment.

4. What is an unqualified audit without findings?

An unqualified audit without findings (clean audit) is the most favorable outcome of an audit with the Auditor-General evaluating audit outcomes across numerous classifications, such as unqualified, qualified, adverse, and disclaimer audits.

5. What does the Western Cape Government’s responsible financial practices mean for investors and partners?

Due to the Western Cape Government’s responsible financial practices, investors and partners can securely engage in business in the Western Cape, confident that their resources will be managed effectively and responsibly.

6. What is the Western Cape Government’s economic action plan?

The Western Cape Government’s economic action plan is called Growth for Jobs, aiming to foster breakout economic growth, generating more job opportunities in the province and South Africa.

7. How does good governance indicate to investors and businesses that they can rely on the Western Cape Government?

Good governance indicates to investors and businesses that they can rely on the Western Cape Government, fostering trust, and supporting business startups and growth in the province.

8. How does the Western Cape Government ensure equitable and fair treatment for its residents?

The Western Cape Government ensures equitable and just treatment for its residents, with no tolerance for corruption and unequal treatment, building upon their established track record of transparent governance and fairness.