Today marks the beginning of the Annual Municipal Internal Audit and Risk Management Forum, hosted by the Free State Treasury (FST) and National Treasury. The event, held at the Tsebo Building—the head office of FST in Bloemfontein—saw an impressive turnout, with over 100 participants joining both in-person and virtually.
The forum welcomed a diverse group of attendees, including Supply Chain Management (SCM) advisors, legislation and reforms advisors, internal auditors, risk management practitioners, and representatives from National Treasury Internal Audit Support. Professional bodies such as the Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA) and the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIA SA) were also present.
Me Thandi Mazibuko, Director of Municipal Risk Management and Internal Audit, highlighted the forum's purpose: "Our aim is to foster a collaborative environment where the latest reforms in both risk management and internal audit can be shared. We benchmark best practices and develop strategies to enhance the effectiveness of these functions within the Free State Province."
Mazibuko emphasized the crucial role of National Treasury (NT) in providing support: "We have invited NT to assist in specialized areas where the Provincial Treasury may not yet have the necessary capacity but is expected to implement new reforms. Many municipalities face challenges due to a lack of capacity in senior management, risk management, and internal audit practitioners, as well as their committees."
Since its inception, the forum has evolved significantly, becoming the primary platform for Treasury and provincial leadership. It serves as a critical voice for discussing and implementing effective risk management and internal audit practices at both the municipal district and provincial levels.
This year's forum promises to continue its tradition of fostering dialogue, sharing knowledge, and driving improvements in municipal audit and risk management processes across the Free State Province.
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