Audit of Residential Facilities, Final report - Division for Social Policy ...

4.2 GovernanceComposition: Through the audit it was very apparent that board structures were still largelywhite. In a few homes where there were black 1 members they were firstly one or two membersamongst largely white members and were very silent with limited participation in the meetings.Some homes have indicated that they have made an effort to recruit black people to the board. Inblack homes the boards were mainly from the same race groups, although it is less likely thatwhite people would go to a home in a previously disadvantaged area. In terms of mobility it wouldusually be black families moving into previously white-designated areas.Hence, in terms of transformation, the majority of Boards still reflect the dominant area in whichthey are based, and for which they were previously started. This is also as a result of many of theNGOs working in this sector having a historically white Afrikaans background with strongaffiliations to the Afrikaans churches. It governs issues such as accountability, strategicleadership as well as policy development within organisations.On this issue FEM Research Consultants in the Western Cape that noted “…Transformationinitiatives as they allow for the incorporation of „fresh‟ individuals into the governing board. In thisregard stagnation may occur in HFA without succession plans. If transformation on the governingboard is to take place succession plans and maximum terms of tenure must become part of HFAlegislature. Whereas there have been strides towards redressing racial imbalances on HFAgoverning boards, a increased effort needs to be made before HFA can be truly classified asrepresentative...”Role: In many of the white homes the Board almost plays a de facto management role and it isdifficult to say if the Board is effective or if management is doing a good job, at times it was all soenmeshed that staff thought that the Board's role was to manage staff.The present scenario in some homes is that Managers work in the shadows of the Board withBoard members taking on too many managerial responsibilities. There is a need for managementto develop the necessary managerial skills and be given the authority to make decisions inconsultation with the Board and to know that there is support and confidence from the Board with1 Black refers to Africa, coloured and Indian59 | D S D A u d i t o f R e s i d e n t i a l F a c i l i t i e s