Corruption is a sexy topic and it seems as if everybody has an opinion about it. However, it is a complex issue that needs comprehensive solutions.
This is the opinion of Prof Gavin Woods, director of Stellenbosch University’s Anti-corruption Centre for Education and Research (ACCERUS)
“Not only the ordinary man in the street, but also government is short on understanding corruption. And this lack of understanding helps to create an environment in the public sector where corruption thrives,” says Woods.
“Government is usually quick to appoint investigating teams when there are instances of corruption. We then find a lot of people running around writing reports while what we really need is more direct intervention inside organisations. While we need laws and investigations, this is not enough to effectively swing the pendulum away from corrupt practices and change the attitudes and actions of people inside public entities.”
Woods will be the keynote speaker at the international Winelands Conference in April where issues of governance and corruption will be put under the spotlight under the conference theme Integrity and Governance: What is wrong? What is right? What is next? Other speakers include : John Bennington, Professor in Public Management, Management and Policy (Warwick University); Erwin Schwella, Professor in Public Leadership (SPL), Geert Bouckaert, Director: Institute for Public Management (Flanders) and Cobus de Swardt, MD of Transparency International.
Woods adds: “What is needed is strong leadership and strong organisational structures and the government does not seem to understand the importance of this. When there are weak managers and weak systems in public organisations, workers are inclined to exploit the low risk opportunities – that is they believe they will net get caught out. Corruption thrives in an environment where workers think their managers are weak.
Research done by ACCERUS and elsewhere has shown conclusively that weak leadership and weak structures are conducive to corrupt practices.
“The problem of weak leaders in the public sector is manifold,” says Woods. “ Many managers simply do not have the experience or skills needed to run a public organisation. This is especially detrimental to an organisation if the financial manager is also inexperienced. A further challenge is the high turnover in personnel. Whenever a manager acquires some skills – despite a lack of guidance – he will leave for greener pastures.
“Research has further shown that corruption is multi-causal. Capitalism and the desire to acquire wealth is one of the reasons. Another is commercialism and the advertising world which tells the ordinary citizen that he should constantly acquire more. A false need is created by advertising and this can lead to greed. If an individual cannot afford what he wants, he might turn to corrupt practices.”
And then there are the politicians. Not only do they create unrealistic expectations through promises of wealth and job creation during elections, but they also flash overt wealth. These politicians, who are often short on delivering on their promises, but who enrich themselves at the cost of those they should be serving, act as the wrong kind of role models.
Woods says it has also been shown that value systems in countries in transition become fluid and confused. “We have seen this happening in China, Russia and in India where corruption increased in direct relation to great economic and/or political change.”
Corruption in the public sector, undermines citizens’ confidence in all things related to public service delivery and it negatively affects public service delivery. When a public service entity is known for corrupt practices, it leads to a feeling of disempowerment amongst the citizenry. It can also severely undermine the democratic processes.
“It is clear there is is a huge need to implement systems inside public organisations that will make the risks attached to corruption too high, and that eliminate opportunities for corruption. But before we can do that, we need a more comprehensive and more comprehensible understanding of corruption and its causes.”
Stellenbosch University’s Anti-corruption Centre for Education and Research (Accerus) strives towards finding answers to these challenge. This is done through sound academic research and the identification of solutions. These challenges will further be addressed at the bi-annual Winelands Conference (2 – 4 April that will be hosted by Stellenbosch University’s School for Public Leadership) in conjunction with ACCERUS and the Zijlstra Centre for Public Control and Governance (Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam).
• For information about this story, or to arrange media interviews, contact Stephanie Nieuwoudt +27 (0)83 2978785
• For information on registration, contact: +27 (0)21 938 9245. Or csnyman@sun.ac.za.
Or visit the website at www.winelands2012.co.za.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Workshop teaches book restoration
SUNLIGHT, WOODEN BOOKSHELVES CAN DESTROY BOOKS
Having rows and rows upon bookshelves made of old English oak, may be beautiful. But, these shelves may do damage to your precious books over the long term.
So says Johann Maree, who certainly knows what he is talking about. Maree, a book conservationist, is a former Head of the Department of Paper and Book Conservation at the University of Cape Town, where he honed his craft over 28 years.
“Books may, through a process of osmosis, absorb acid from the oak bookshelves,” says Maree. “This is why libraries usually have metal bookshelves.”
However, you do not have to get rid of your wooden bookshelves, simply line the shelves with acid-free cardboard and your books will outlive a few generations of your descendants. That is of course if the books are not subjected to other dangers. Like, for instance, long time exposure to extreme temperatures or humid conditions which can cause mould or mildew in the books. Extreme heat will also make paper brittle.
Maree, who trained at the Swiss Centro del Bel Libro and at the Austrian National Library, may have retired from the formal working life, but he has not retired from the book industry. He is actively involved with the Paarl Taalmonument en Museum and he frequently presents workshops where he teaches his eager audiences about book restoration, paper conservation and book binding. Due to demand he will do two workshops in Pretoria in March.
“People have a desire to work with their hands and many people have libraries of books of which some are in need of repair,” says Maree. However, not only those who are looking for a hobby attend his workshops – archivists, librarians and others who work in the book and manuscript industries are regular attendees.
He incorporates the history of paper in his workshops, taking attendees back to the ancient forms of paper making which originated in China around 2 BC – long after the Egyptians started using papyrus around 3 BC. But before paper spread to Europe, books in Europe were printed on and bound in cloth and rag collectors survived on collecting scraps of cotton and linen and selling it to the book makers. In the 19th century, the industrial revolution had made it possible to pulp wood for the purpose of making paper and subsequently books. Ironically, books made in the 19th century are especially vulnerable.
“Large amounts of chemicals were used to make the paper which means that books dating from the 19th century are highly acidic. And as we know, acid is the enemy of paper,” says Maree.
Those at the workshop will also learn how to get rid of spills in books, and to stay far away from the kind of adhesive tape you use to wrap up gifts.
“If adhesive tape is used, make sure it is high quality acid-free tape,” says Maree. “Ordinary tape leaves behind a sticky, acidic residue which leeches into the paper and damages it.”
Other topics discussed at the workshops, include, grain direction; the enemies of paper; parts of the book and its construction; page repair and tipping in of loose pages; adhesives; spine repairs and dealing with Oxford hollows (it is a tube of strong paper glued to the spine); repairs dealing with the endpapers and repairs of the head-cap (the upper portion of the spine).
Maree uses the metaphor of a machine to describe how a book should work. “The cover, the binding and the way the pages are fixed contribute to a well-functioning book. Like with any piece of machinery, the book should ‘work’. One should be able to open the book and turn pages without the book falling apart.”
Does he think that the e-book is a threat to the printed book?
“I do believe it is still a long time away before we can truly prdict the demise of the printed book. People still love hearing the creak of a book as it is opened and many people are intrigued by the stories an old book can tell about who owned it before. The e-book does not have this kind of personality.”
Although the three day workshops in book repair and paper conservation is intensive, the novice is advised to leave restoration of truly rare and expensive books, to a true professional.
The book repair and paper conservation workshop will take place at the Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History from 5 to 7 March and again from 8 – 10 March. For information contact contact Amira Clayton at tel. 021 872 3441 or kommunikasie@taalmuseum.co.za.
Having rows and rows upon bookshelves made of old English oak, may be beautiful. But, these shelves may do damage to your precious books over the long term.
So says Johann Maree, who certainly knows what he is talking about. Maree, a book conservationist, is a former Head of the Department of Paper and Book Conservation at the University of Cape Town, where he honed his craft over 28 years.
“Books may, through a process of osmosis, absorb acid from the oak bookshelves,” says Maree. “This is why libraries usually have metal bookshelves.”
However, you do not have to get rid of your wooden bookshelves, simply line the shelves with acid-free cardboard and your books will outlive a few generations of your descendants. That is of course if the books are not subjected to other dangers. Like, for instance, long time exposure to extreme temperatures or humid conditions which can cause mould or mildew in the books. Extreme heat will also make paper brittle.
Maree, who trained at the Swiss Centro del Bel Libro and at the Austrian National Library, may have retired from the formal working life, but he has not retired from the book industry. He is actively involved with the Paarl Taalmonument en Museum and he frequently presents workshops where he teaches his eager audiences about book restoration, paper conservation and book binding. Due to demand he will do two workshops in Pretoria in March.
“People have a desire to work with their hands and many people have libraries of books of which some are in need of repair,” says Maree. However, not only those who are looking for a hobby attend his workshops – archivists, librarians and others who work in the book and manuscript industries are regular attendees.
He incorporates the history of paper in his workshops, taking attendees back to the ancient forms of paper making which originated in China around 2 BC – long after the Egyptians started using papyrus around 3 BC. But before paper spread to Europe, books in Europe were printed on and bound in cloth and rag collectors survived on collecting scraps of cotton and linen and selling it to the book makers. In the 19th century, the industrial revolution had made it possible to pulp wood for the purpose of making paper and subsequently books. Ironically, books made in the 19th century are especially vulnerable.
“Large amounts of chemicals were used to make the paper which means that books dating from the 19th century are highly acidic. And as we know, acid is the enemy of paper,” says Maree.
Those at the workshop will also learn how to get rid of spills in books, and to stay far away from the kind of adhesive tape you use to wrap up gifts.
“If adhesive tape is used, make sure it is high quality acid-free tape,” says Maree. “Ordinary tape leaves behind a sticky, acidic residue which leeches into the paper and damages it.”
Other topics discussed at the workshops, include, grain direction; the enemies of paper; parts of the book and its construction; page repair and tipping in of loose pages; adhesives; spine repairs and dealing with Oxford hollows (it is a tube of strong paper glued to the spine); repairs dealing with the endpapers and repairs of the head-cap (the upper portion of the spine).
Maree uses the metaphor of a machine to describe how a book should work. “The cover, the binding and the way the pages are fixed contribute to a well-functioning book. Like with any piece of machinery, the book should ‘work’. One should be able to open the book and turn pages without the book falling apart.”
Does he think that the e-book is a threat to the printed book?
“I do believe it is still a long time away before we can truly prdict the demise of the printed book. People still love hearing the creak of a book as it is opened and many people are intrigued by the stories an old book can tell about who owned it before. The e-book does not have this kind of personality.”
Although the three day workshops in book repair and paper conservation is intensive, the novice is advised to leave restoration of truly rare and expensive books, to a true professional.
The book repair and paper conservation workshop will take place at the Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History from 5 to 7 March and again from 8 – 10 March. For information contact contact Amira Clayton at tel. 021 872 3441 or kommunikasie@taalmuseum.co.za.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Winelands Conference to address challenges in the public service
For Immediate Publication
Winelands Conference to address challenges in the public service
South Africa’s public service faces many challenges and Stellenbosch University’s School of Public Leadership (SPL) has over the years gained a reputation as one of the leading schools in Africa offering excellent post-graduate training in public management.
One of the highlights of the SPL programme is the highly acclaimed Winelands Conference that the SPL hosts every second year. This conference has become a landmark in the South African public and development management fields
“The challenges in the South African Public Sector are myriad. But mostly it is about a lack of good governance and integrity in public service,” says Kobus Muller, director of the SPL. “If these issues are not solved the good ideas that underlie and are integral to policy frameworks cannot be implemented successfully. These issues will be addressed at the 13th Winelands Conference 2012 which will be held in Stellenbosch in April. ”
Popular discourse
According to Muller the Winelands Conference has gained a reputation of highlighting and addressing issues of public importance even before it has become part of the popular discourse. An example: the Winelands Conference of 1991 dealt with Public Administration in Post-Apartheid South Africa. This was even before the negotiations for a new regime were properly on track
Academics and practitioners from both the public and development sectors will attend the conference. “The Winelands Conference has been attracting huge interest from abroad since the mid 1990s. Today it is a truly international conference. As far as I am aware, it is the only international conference dealing with issues of public leadership in Africa.”
The SPL’s conference partners for 2012 are the Anti-corruption Education and Research Centre (ACCERUS) and the Zijlstra Centre for Public Control and Governance. The theme is Integrity and governance: What is wrong? What is good? What is next? The three conference focus points are: What’s wrong? Corruption in Governance; What’s good? Good Governance in the public and non-profit sector and; What’s next? Innovations in governance and research.
Some of the speakers are John Bennington, Professor in Public Management & Policy (University of Warwick), Erwin Schwella, Professor in public leadership (SPL, Stellenbosch University), Geert Bouckaert Director: Public Management Institute, Flanders, Gavin Woods director of ACCERUS (Stellenbosch University).
Addressing challenges
“Through the Winelands Confernce we try to make a contribution to the identification of solutions that are right for our time and hopefully the conference outcomes are implemented.”
“After each conference we publish a booklet with the addresses by the speakers. This helps to open up a larger academic debate of the challenges and possible solutions identified during the conference.”
The Winelands Conference will be held from 2 – 4 April 2012 at the Research Congress Centre of the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Registration forms are available online at http://www.winelands2012.co.za/registration.
For information on this story, please call 083 2978785. Or for further information on the Winelands Conference, call +27 021 938 9245.
Winelands Conference to address challenges in the public service
South Africa’s public service faces many challenges and Stellenbosch University’s School of Public Leadership (SPL) has over the years gained a reputation as one of the leading schools in Africa offering excellent post-graduate training in public management.
One of the highlights of the SPL programme is the highly acclaimed Winelands Conference that the SPL hosts every second year. This conference has become a landmark in the South African public and development management fields
“The challenges in the South African Public Sector are myriad. But mostly it is about a lack of good governance and integrity in public service,” says Kobus Muller, director of the SPL. “If these issues are not solved the good ideas that underlie and are integral to policy frameworks cannot be implemented successfully. These issues will be addressed at the 13th Winelands Conference 2012 which will be held in Stellenbosch in April. ”
Popular discourse
According to Muller the Winelands Conference has gained a reputation of highlighting and addressing issues of public importance even before it has become part of the popular discourse. An example: the Winelands Conference of 1991 dealt with Public Administration in Post-Apartheid South Africa. This was even before the negotiations for a new regime were properly on track
Academics and practitioners from both the public and development sectors will attend the conference. “The Winelands Conference has been attracting huge interest from abroad since the mid 1990s. Today it is a truly international conference. As far as I am aware, it is the only international conference dealing with issues of public leadership in Africa.”
The SPL’s conference partners for 2012 are the Anti-corruption Education and Research Centre (ACCERUS) and the Zijlstra Centre for Public Control and Governance. The theme is Integrity and governance: What is wrong? What is good? What is next? The three conference focus points are: What’s wrong? Corruption in Governance; What’s good? Good Governance in the public and non-profit sector and; What’s next? Innovations in governance and research.
Some of the speakers are John Bennington, Professor in Public Management & Policy (University of Warwick), Erwin Schwella, Professor in public leadership (SPL, Stellenbosch University), Geert Bouckaert Director: Public Management Institute, Flanders, Gavin Woods director of ACCERUS (Stellenbosch University).
Addressing challenges
“Through the Winelands Confernce we try to make a contribution to the identification of solutions that are right for our time and hopefully the conference outcomes are implemented.”
“After each conference we publish a booklet with the addresses by the speakers. This helps to open up a larger academic debate of the challenges and possible solutions identified during the conference.”
The Winelands Conference will be held from 2 – 4 April 2012 at the Research Congress Centre of the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Registration forms are available online at http://www.winelands2012.co.za/registration.
For information on this story, please call 083 2978785. Or for further information on the Winelands Conference, call +27 021 938 9245.
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