“The success of an organisation is not only in mere compliance with rules, regulations and policies but primarily in the manner in which people work together” CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT This is indeed a historic period for the SHR as we celebrate our 60th anniversary year. The first Honorary Rangers were appointed on 5 May 1964, which we regard as our birth date. Since then, the organisation has grown exponentially, and so has its impact. From a governance perspective, King IV defines effective leadership as results-driven. It is about achieving strategic objectives and positive outcomes. Effective leadership is achieved when Board members individually and collectively cultivate and exhibit the following characteristics in their conduct: • Integrity. • Competence. • Responsibility. • Accountability. • Fairness; and • Transparency. In 2023, the Board requested Deloitte to perform an assessment of its performance. The results of the Deloitte assessment were discussed in an extended workshop held in November 2023. Members of the Board, Exco and Board committees participated in this workshop and identified the critical areas that required immediate and longer-term attention. The Board then included the recommendations of that workshop into a broader discussion with members during a workshop held in February 2024, with a view to developing a strategy for the future of the SHR. The objective is to ensure that the SHR becomes what it envisions in its constitution: “A world class volunteer organisation operating as an integral partner to South African National Parks in support of their strategic objectives.” Ultimately the SHR must grow in number and operational capacity to achieve an even bigger impact on conservation in South Africa. The four outcomes of good and successful governance are identified by King IV as: • Ethical culture • Good performance • Effective control; and • Legitimacy. Ethical culture We have made significant progress in becoming a values-driven organisation as opposed to a rules-driven organisation, but more work is needed. The Board has accepted the virtuous cycle of respect, trust and openness as a standard in all its deliberations and interactions. The success of any organisation is not only dependent on compliance with policies and rules but primarily on how people work together. This is something that requires a very specific focus and it takes many years to gain the reputation of an ethical organisation that symbolises something that all people can aspire to. In this regard the mnemonic of our code of ethics, viz. ASPIRE, is a strong call to ethical behaviour on the part of the Board and all members of the SHR. Good performance The purpose of our existence is to support SANParks because of our love for nature and conservation of our natural heritage. Good performance means doing our work and doing it well, not only as a Board but as an organisation. Is our contribution to SANParks bigger, better and growing? In 2023, our contribution to SANParks for the financial year ending March 2023 amounted to R80 050 million. At the time, I suggested we aim for R100 million, hoping that we would reach that milestone in 2025. To my very pleasant surprise, we reached that milestone a year early, by the end of March 2024. Our total contribution to SANParks this year was R100 784 million. This deserves a standing ovation for all our members. SANParks Honorary Rangers 2024 28 Message from our leaders continued
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