Last week the country arguably held one of its most important elections since 1994. While I know many of us spent long hours in a queue, there was still only a 58% voter turnout. The turnout is measured as a percentage of the number of people who voted against those people registered to vote. The people who registered to vote represent less than half the South African population.

In numbers (rounded to nearest while number):

	Number of people	Percentage of total South African population	Voter turnout
Population (2022 census)	62 million	100%
Eligible to vote	42 million	67%
Registered voters	27 million	45%
People who voted	16 million	26%	58%

 
While I am extremely proud of those who voted – including my own immediate circle of family and friends – we all need to do more if we want to change the lived reality of our country and its people.

A new Parliament and provincial legislatures will be formed. As finance professionals we have a responsibility to share our knowledge of public sector financial management with them, along with all that it takes to operate a well-run, people-centric, government administration.

We also have a responsibility as finance professionals to keep educating as many people as we can about the role and importance of the budget, financial statements, performance information and the audit report to hold government accountable. We should also encourage others to participate in the public consultation processes when the budget and annual plan are developed, and to read the financial statements and audit report to ensure what elected officials said they would do, they actually execute.

I strongly believe that as finance professionals, we have an important role to play in shaping the new government and influencing others to be more involved in government and its processes.

#proudlysouthafrican #voteforchangein2024