Page 6 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

FOREWORD BY

THE CHAIRPERSON

PROFESSOR JOHNNY MAHLANGU

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) remains steadfast in fulfilling its
mandate to enhance the health and well-being of South Africans through rigorous research,
capacity building, innovation, and technology transfer.

On behalf of the SAMRC Board, I am happy to present funding organisations are comfortable allocating
the 2023/24 Annual Report, which demonstrates research grants to us, and South African taxpayers
SAMRC's commitment to upholding the highest can be assured that their tax money is being spent
standards of corporate governance, accountability responsibly because good governance ensures
to key stakeholders, including Parliament, the transparency, accountability, effectiveness and
National Department of Health, the general public, ethical conduct.
funding entities, and other pertinent parties.
This Annual Report comes at a time when the country
Our commitment to operating lawfully, responsibly, has just come out of elections and welcomed the
ethically, and with integrity is unwavering. SAMRC seventh Government Administration since the dawn
demonstrates exemplary fiscal discipline and of our democracy in 1994. It is also at the time when
effective corporate governance, as underscored by South Africa is celebrating 30 years of democracy.
our consistent attainment of multi-year clean audit The SAMRC has been a good corporate citizen, and
outcomes. Furthermore, we prioritise allocating this is supported by our research agenda, which, in
financial resources towards impactful research this context, promotes equity and dignity in health
initiatives, aligning our endeavours with our nation's and health care. We do, however, acknowledge that
prevailing health priorities and imperatives. Because there is still a lot that needs to be done to improve
of our good governance record, most international the quality of life for our people, and we remain

4 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24