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IT IS high time leadership takes decisive action to stabilise the likes of South African Airways, SABC, the South African Post Office, Eskom, and the SA National Roads Agency among others, all of which have been operating in seemingly crisis mode for years now.
Without stabilising these critical organisations economic growth, economic transformation, skills development and the development of a future pipeline of leaders will never be realised. There is an urgent need to restore confidence in our state-owned entities.
However, it must be said that while still having a number of challenges to overcome, Eskom under Brian Molefe can be said to be making positive strides towards organisational turnaround and stabilisation, and this is indicative of how important strong leadership is during times of crisis.
It is critical that the board, executives and management are all on the same page. Individual agendas or politics need to be sacrificed for the greater good of the organisation. Here leadership needs to remain strong and united in their collective action to achieve the greater purpose of the organisation.
Ordinary South Africans will pay the ultimate price
Whether it be providing citizens with power, reliable and affordable air travel, or a compelling and sustainable broadcasting service, leaders within state-owned entities seem to have lost sight of the purpose they have been tasked with delivering on. And without a stable, united leadership team, it is likely that that these state-owned entities will continue operating in a state of chaos with the country’s citizens ultimately paying the price.
The complete breakdown of leadership confidence in our state-owned entities means that talented professionals, who could have made a real, sustainable difference within these organisations, are opting to go the private sector route.
And here again, it is leadership’s responsibility to ensure they instill honesty, authenticity and wisdom within these organisations. It is these qualities that bring about organisational trust and attract talent to join their ranks.
Authentic leaders are those that act with wisdom for long-term organisational success. And it is this type of leadership strategy and culture that will be required to bring about the kind of economic transformation that will ensure economic freedom for all.
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Nonkululeko Gobodo is CEO of Nkululeko Leadership Consulting.
