Robben Island Annual Report 2009/2010

The Parliamentary Monitoring Group (PMG) reports that the Robben Island Museum briefed the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture on its performance and plans.

The Committee was briefed again on the 2009/2010 Annual Report of the Robben Island Museum. A history of leadership turbulence and organisational instability was outlined, which had hampered the institution since its inception in 1997, years, including repeated replacement of the Chief Executive Officer, the resignation of the Council and the dissolution of the senior management structure. However, in March 2010 a new Council was appointed and the new Chief Executive Officer was appointed in November 2010. Many of the committees and subcommittees put in place by the new Council to run operations had been able to be dissolved as senior management staff were appointed to do this work. However, there were still some challenges, particularly in regard to unfunded mandates, including the running of the ferries, post office, fire service and clinic on Robben Island. There was also a need to have a different business model for the maintenance and management of ferry operations, which were recognised as vital to the accessibility of the Museum, although they tended to distract attention of the Museum away from actually running the Museum itself. The Committee was assured that despite the problems in the past financial reports, measures had now been put in place to address the weak controls and systems of the past, and the 2010/11 report would hopefully be unqualified, and many improvements would be seen. 

Members expressed their concern that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Council and several senior staff were not present, particularly in view of the history. There were several questions directed to the ongoing management of human resources. The Committee noted the fact that the Chief Executive Officer was still quite new in his post, but stressed that they would hold him accountable for the matters in the next Annual Report for 2010/11. Several Members questioned the running of the ferries, and asked if there was a need to outsource any of the other activities on the Island. They asked if the Museum was accessible enough to international visitors, and noted that it offered educational tours and outreach to local visitors. They noted the improved appearance of the Island, but asked whether there was a possibility of different tours. Members also asked if there had been any follow-up to the forensic audit report of a few years’ ago, and noted that no criminal prosecutions had been instituted, as recommended at the time. They asked about proposals for further development of Robben Island, but it was stressed that the Council had been reluctant to approve these, fearing they could adversely affect the heritage, history and environment of the Island. Members were critical of the late submission of this Report, and asked to receive another presentation when the 2010/11 Annual Report was submitted in August 2011, as well as a presentation on the turnaround strategy.

To read the full minutes of the meeting, listen to an audio recording, or to view the presentation, see the PMG website
Source: Parliamentary Monitoring Group website

Leave a comment