Last week Futuregrowth Asset Management and Old Mutual Investment Group (OMIG) released a report, written by Just Share with the asset managers’ support, which highlights the urgent need for a more robust approach to overcoming the challenges faced by whistleblowers in South Africa.
The report, Whistleblower protection in South Africa: where to from here? identifies gaps in the legal framework designed to protect whistleblowers, and describes the plethora of national initiatives which have been launched with the purported aim of improving whistleblower protection. None of these has had any impact, and most have stalled or become stuck in bureaucratic limbo.
While we justifiably look to government to develop and implement measures to protect whistleblowers, there is also a critical role to be played by the private sector. Protecting whistleblowers benefits everyone, but amid the many stories we have heard in recent years about how whistleblowers suffer devastating, life-changing harm for daring to speak out, the private sector has been mostly quiet on the issue, and certainly has not taken any proactive steps to address it.
The backing by Futuregrowth and OMIG of this report on the strengths and weaknesses of the current system is a step in the right direction.
The findings of the report will be presented at a webinar on Thursday 19 May. Please register for the webinar below to be part of this important conversation.
Whistleblower protection in South Africa: where to from here?
Futuregrowth Asset Management and Old Mutual Investment Group invite you to the virtual launch of an independent research report prepared by Just Share NPC: Whistleblower protection in South Africa: where to from here?
The discussion panel will unpack the findings of the report, with a focus on the current challenges within the whistleblower protection regime in SA, what practical steps can be taken to improve the current reality, and what role the private sector can play in addressing some of these shortcomings.
The panel will be hosted as a webinar and is open to all. Tracey Davies, Executive Director of Just Share, will host a dialogue between:
- Ben Theron, Executive Director of the recently established Whistleblower House
- Andrew Canter, Chief Investment Officer, Futuregrowth Asset Management
- Robert Lewenson, Head: Responsible Investment, Old Mutual Investment Group
Date: Thursday, 19 May 2022
Time: 11h00 – 12h00
If you have any questions, please contact Christine Faul on 021 659 5451 or christinef@futuregrowth.co.za.
