Roads Agency Limpopo team strengthened with new CFO
A new chief financial officer (CFO) for Roads Agency Limpopo (Ral) was appointed, effective from last Wednesday.
POLOKWANE – A new chief financial officer (CFO) for Roads Agency Limpopo (Ral) was appointed, effective from last Wednesday.
Kgotlo Rabothata, left the province 15 years ago and has now come back to share his experience and considerable skills in the province.
A registered chartered accountant (CA) since 2010, he is a member of the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (Saica) and Project Management South Africa, a professional association representing the interests of project, programme and portfolio management practitioners in South Africa.
He was previously employed by KPMG and audited private sector entities such as Sasol Polymers (chemical area), Samancor (mining sector), Optimum Coal Holdings, Lonmin Plc, and the Rochon Group.
He joined Auto & General in 2010 and gained international work experience including being part of the United Nations Board of Auditors as a representative of the Auditor-General (AG) of South Africa, United Nations (UN) agencies such as UN Population Fund, UN Development Programme and UN relief and Works Agency.
The UN audits included audits at the headquarters in New York and Amman, as well as central offices in Sudan, Zambia, Uganda, Jerusalem, Gaza, Venezuela and Jamaica and a special UN audit for a peacekeeping mission in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
At the AG’s office in South Africa he also audited public sector entities and gained valuable experience in regularity and performance auditing in leases, revenue, supply chain management and infrastructure.
Rabothata sees his most challenging time as his first 100 days on the job, and finishing his first audit at Ral.
The agency moved from an adverse opinion to a disclaimer. An adverse opinion is issued when the AG determines that the financial statements of an auditee are materially misstated and, when considered as a whole, do not conform with the generally accepted accounting principles. A disclaimer is issued when the AG could not form an opinion, and consequently refuses to present an opinion on the financial statements.
“We are at the bottom, we can only do better now,” Rabothata says.
He intends to implement more internal controls and see to it that supply chain management rules and regulations are followed.
“I don’t want to lose my status as a CA; as a member of Saica, one has to be ethical at all times. Throwing a stone into the water causes a ripple effect; creates waves; we must share ideas and touch up controls.
“Regarding personnel matters, a new strategy must be formed.
“Key positions need to be filled urgently, such as a leader for the supply chain management unit and a head for pro-active assurance and internal controls. We have to satisfy the AG, political roleplayers and the public, who expect deliverables.”
Rabothata is an ardent cyclist. He participated in the Mayoral Cycle Race last weekend and hopes to join Sapa Yopa, a local motorcycle club, as he enjoys motorcycling.
He is married with one child. His wife will move to Polokwane as soon as he is more settled in his new job.
