New SAIPA Board

South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) welcomes newly elected female-led board to drive next chapter after 40 years

Johannesburg, 25 November 2022

The transformation of the accountancy profession made yet another leap forward, with The South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) announcing the appointment of two females at its helm for the first time in its 40-year history. Both dedicated members of the Institute, Radha Gouri (Prem) Govender was appointed as chairperson, and Magdalena (Lynné) Smit as vice-chairperson of the newly elected Board at a special general meeting held at the beginning of November.

“We were fortunate to have the leadership of former chairperson, Kantha Naicker, also a dynamic female professional who helped us chart a seamless transition from the prior board to the current one,” says SAIPA Chief Executive, Shahied Daniels. “The outgoing Board provided the necessary guidance under the strain of the pandemic, during which time we continued to grow our membership, expanded our designations and hosted our marques conference, the 2020 and 2021 Accounting iNdaba virtually.

“Gender diversity in the accountancy profession is important and has been shown to enhance corporate performance. I am confident in the capabilities of the new Board to ensure continuously improving levels of accountability and ethics of the Institution and our members,” Daniels says.

The new Board is made up of nine members; seven are SAIPA members and two are non-members. Govender and Smit are joined by SAIPA members Abel Mangolele, Spokazi Jojo, Brandon Rajah, Ngobani Mzizi and Pitso Zwane, along with non-members, Doris Dondur and Bruce Banda, a former board member.

The appointment of the Board was methodical, deliberate and structured, with a Transitional Nominations Committee (TNC) formed to oversee the selection process to incorporate composition requirements as per the Institute’s Constitution and By-laws. It was headed by former SAIPA and TNC Chairperson, Kantha Naicker, and two experienced and independent members, former Executive Director at IFAC and current CEO of PAFA, Alta Prinsloo, and former CEO of the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa and Brave Inflexions, Dr Claudelle von Eck.

Forty-eight candidates were reviewed and considered, with 11 individuals shortlisted based on a number of factors, including but not limited to board governance experience, fiduciary duties, professional skillset, competency, knowledge, strategic and foresight capabilities, understanding of the professional accountancy landscape, as well as diversity.

With a staggered terms of office to ensure continuity and sustainability and having made their ethical pledge, the new Board will spearhead SAIPA to not only capitalise on and stay abreast of opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and digitalisation, but also ensure that as a leading South African Professional Accountancy Organisation (PAO), the Institute is aligned and ahead of changes impacting both the global and local accountancy profession and the business sector as a whole.

Together with the Chief Executive, Shahied Daniels, the management committee and SAIPA staff, the new Board commits to upholding and maintaining the highest profession and governance standards, as well as ethical behaviour by lending oversight, providing counsel, input and support to members.

“In a deeply rewarding career spanning decades, I have had the privilege and honour of working with other professionals from across the nation to improve accountability in accountancy,” newly elected Prem Govender says.

“With the next chapter of our journey, we look forward to leveraging evolving digital capabilities that are emerging globally with the deepening wealth of accountancy skills amongst our membership. Our vision is to see each of our members growing into value creators to drive South Africa – and the continent as a whole – towards greater prosperity, social impact and sustainability.”