SARS's IKM strategy : an external perception through the eyes of the media

[摘要] South Africa held its first democratic election in 1994. At the moment, governmenthas to address many injustices of the past. For this they need funds. The yearsbefore 1994 saw South Africa isolated from the rest of the world as a result of itshuman rights track record. As a result of this isolation, the government has not onlyinherited injustices that need to be addressed, but it also inherited debt, which needsto be repaid with interest. Therefore, the South African Revenue Service is taskedwith the responsibility to ensure an inflow into government coffers.The South African Revenue Service has been constituted as an autonomous body in1997. Although the task of revenue collection seems mundane, its enormity cannotbe over-emphasised. The revenue it collects is needed to address issues ofinequality such as:• equality of education;• restoration of basic living conditions, such as shelter and health care; and• upgrading and retaining skills in order to compete globally.The general perception is that the South African Revenue Service has achievedmuch through transformation projects in a very short period. Furthermore, thePresident is embarking on a mission to unite the African continent through variousinitiatives. Currently, perception gained from the media is that Africa is corrupt andlacks the economic will to change. The current study was undertaken to establishwhether the model used by the South African Revenue Service, as perceived by themedia, is well received. A positive media perception could pave the way for othergovernment organisations as well as South Africa's neighbours to enter into aninformation and knowledge sharing partnership with the South African RevenueService to the benefit, not only of the country, but also of the continent as a whole.The conclusion drawn is that the South African Revenue Service is indeed anexample to be proud of. They seem to have formed partnerships with business, professional bodies and foreign agents as well as with the ordinary man in the streetto engage successfully in discussions, which will ultimately lead to the mutual benefitof all its stakeholders, internal and external.Finally, from a media perspective, the organisation is perceived to have done SouthAfricans proud; however, it is also clear from media reports that room forimprovement exists.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University