MBDA BOARD NAMED BEST PERFORMING IN THE EASTERN CAPE

The Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) board was on Friday the 12th of September awarded by the Black Management Forum (BMF) assisted by Delloite as the best performing board of all municipal entities in the Eastern Cape. The awards ceremony took place at a gala dinner in East London, hosted by BMF under the theme of “Reflecting on Effective Leadership and Governance of Boards of Directors in the Eastern Cape”. The awards are recognition of the value of strong, visionary, credible and skilled board of directors that are able to steer a critical institution such as a Development agency.

"We dedicate this award to the people of Nelson Mandela Bay, the Municipal Council who are the sole Shareholders of the MBDA, the outgoing and incoming boards, Management, staff and all our stakeholders” said agency Spokesperson Luvuyo Bangazi who received the award on behalf of the MBDA board in East London.

Speaking at the BMF Gala and Awards dinner on friday12th September, Eastern Cape MEC for Treasury and Economic Development, Sakhumzi Somyo said “agencies are formed by government to do the special service delivery tasks that government itself might be constrained in, lack capacity in or eager to deliver with speed. Therefore agencies need to be equipped with the right mix of skills, not just in management but in boards, or else how are you able to exercise proper oversight in matters you do not understand".

This award comes at a time when the MBDA celebrates 10 years of existence since inception. During this time the MBDA board has strategically led the agency through 9 consecutive Unqualified Audits and this year attained what the agency believes is   the expected standard, a Clean Audit. "We are encouraged by the Auditor General SA findings, but they are not something we necessarily celebrate as the MBDA. It is an expectation that as a public entity we handle public funds with efficiency, integrity and transparency guided not only by legislation and regulations but by doing the right things, to serve our communities to realize Madiba's ideals of a better life for all" said a delighted Pierre Voges, the MBDA Chief Executive Officer. 

"The management team and staff will forever be grateful to all the past members of the board and chairpersons, and in particular the most recent chaired by Mr Saki Macozoma who always kept management focused on the core business and purpose of the MBDA.  The agency's board members participate pro bono and those who work out of town will even pay for their own flights to Port Elizabeth, a sign of extreme sacrifice and passion for Nelson Mandela Bay. Therefore this award is a real expression of gratitude and recognition that all the hard work did not go unnoticed" concluded Voges.

About the Award

The award, the first of its kind by BMF and Delloite seeks to award excellence in the top leadership structures of government entities. All entities are invited to participate by submitting relevant information such as Annual Reports dating back three to ten years where applicable. A team of specialists from Delloite then assists the BMF with the criteria, ranking and final adjudication.