Speech by Methews Phosa during the International
Anti-Corruption Day
10 December 2012
It is indeed an honour and a privilege to greet you in my
role as the Chairperson of the Unisa Council and to open
this relevant and value-adding discourse seminar celebrating
the 2012 International Corruption Day.
Good governance is a priority at Unisa and whether the
conduct is termed “corruption”, “bribery”, “fraud”, or
“abuse or misuse of power”, we abhor its existence and will
ensure that it is rooted out. The compendium of
institutional policies unequivocally establishes the
institutional values of social justice and fairness and
excellence with integrity. The University has been fair
but fearless in advancing its value proposition of
zero-tolerance to fraud, corruption and other irregularities
and we pride ourselves on the principle that the rules apply
equally to all people in the University, irrespective of
position, power or influence. The institutional policies and
intrepid stance against corruption is supported by the
Council - we recognize that we have set the bar high and
intend to implement our commitment to our students and
stakeholders – we want an ethical University.
Unisa is – and always will be – a national asset. It is
therefore completely apposite that Unisa hosts this event
with its esteemed partners – the United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime; and the Public Service Commission.
The unequivocal truth is that the fight against corruption
should not be dictated by position, age, gender, or race –
corruption is a distasteful scourge that we – the
right-minded and integrity-focused - must take the lead to
destroy. I am pained when I read, on the one hand, of the
abuses of power for unwarranted financial gain that seem to
have become the order of the day in some circles; whilst on
the one hand, there are service delivery protests,
inadequate housing and hospital facilities, and the majority
of the population living below the breadline. I am then
forced to question: where has the allocated budget gone?;
has anyone been called to account?; where have we taken the
wrong road?; and what has happened to the spirit of
conscience and Ubuntu that was the spirit of Africa during
the struggle for democracy. I am wholly intolerant of the
sentiment that I sometimes hear as an excuse for irregular
conduct – “I did not take part in the struggle to remain
poor”.
In the latest Transparency Internal Index measuring
perceived levels of corruption in the public sector, South
Africa has fallen 5 places and sits at 69th out of a total
of 176 countries surveyed. However, more concerning is that
fact that we appear to have dropped 31 places in the last 11
years. The Index measures perceived levels of corruption in
the public sector, bribery, the abuse of public resources,
secrecy in decision-making, anti-corruption laws, and
conflicts of interest in respect of government officials.
The pathos of the Survey results are terrifying to say the
least, particularly because the SIU cases and the Public
Protector seem to concur with the sentiment that fraud and
corruption are becoming more evident in this country of
ours. So, again I must reflect: “Where, in our heroic
tradition of leadership and integrity, does dishonesty find
a home?”
As you will hear, I am passionate about issues such as good
governance, honesty, and integrity and believe that we need
to talk out and expose dissidents of this ethos.
I know a man who is equally unafraid to say what he believes
and who is not cowed by power, position and authority – even
when there are allegations of death threats against him -
who has devoted a life to upliftment of the working class
and who today sits amongst us as the newly inaugurated
Chairman of the International Anti-Corruption Forum. Ladies
and gentlemen, I would like you to put your hands together
and welcome Mr Zwelinzima Vavi, who was formally inaugurated
into this position this morning. On his behalf, I also want
to express our appreciation to the outgoing Chairperson – Ms
Futi Mathoba who has done a sterling job during her reign.
I want to reiterate that Unisa takes pleasure in joining
hands with all partners who share our values and commitment
to the upliftment of South Africa. We have a proud history
of providing education to those who did not have access to
higher education, and we want to continue to leave a proud
legacy for our children. However, to make a difference, we
must act and hold those in power to account – only
then will we make a difference.
And on that high note may I wish you well in the discussions
and remember my advice “Don’t bend your thinking to fit in
with someone else just because they are considered more
powerful – might is not necessarily right”.
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