KwaZulu-Natal Premier Honourable Thamsanqa Ntuli attended the 96th Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Government Finance, Audit and Risk Officers (CIGFARO) at the Durban International Convention Centre on Tuesday, 8 October 2025.

Strengthening Public Finance Leadership

The three-day conference brought together professionals from across the public sector, including municipal managers, chief financial officers, auditors, and risk management specialists. The event served as a vital platform for sharing insights, best practices, and innovative approaches to improving governance and financial accountability in the public sector.

Theme: Reviewing the Fundamentals of Public Finance in a Changing World

Held under the theme “Reviewing the Fundamentals of Public Finance in a Changing World,” the conference provided an opportunity to critically assess the evolving landscape of public financial management in South Africa and globally. Discussions focused on emerging fiscal challenges, the digital transformation of finance systems, and strengthening institutional resilience in an era of economic uncertainty.

Premier’s Reflections

Premier Ntuli commended CIGFARO for its continued leadership in promoting professional excellence and ethical governance within the public sector. He noted that sound financial management is the cornerstone of effective service delivery and sustainable development, particularly in a period of fiscal constraint.

“As a province, we are committed to enhancing transparency, accountability, and innovation in financial governance. Events like this play a crucial role in ensuring that our public institutions remain responsive, credible, and efficient,” said Premier Ntuli.

Advancing Good Governance

The Premier highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, the auditing profession, and risk management bodies to address challenges such as irregular expenditure, corruption, and inefficiencies in financial systems. He emphasised that building a culture of integrity and compliance is essential to restoring public trust and driving the goals of the Provincial Government of Unity.

The CIGFARO Annual Conference remains one of South Africa’s most respected gatherings for finance professionals, reinforcing KwaZulu-Natal’s ongoing commitment to strong financial stewardship, ethical governance, and fiscal sustainability in the public sector.