South Africans have become spectators in an ongoing parade of scandalous corporate governance that has implicated public sector entities and businesses. It raises the question: are the King codes for corporate governance fit for purpose? Justifiable as it may be, the question has a flawed premise. It presumes that a code for corporate governance can in and of itself treat incompetent and unethical corporate ailments. King 4 cannot do that. It can only benefit those prepared to implement it. A whistleblower on accounting irregularities at a failed corporation reportedly said that, with good ethics intact, King 1 would not be necessary, but without ethics even King 10 would never suffice. Notwithstanding this, ethical intent requires an understanding of the "how". Intent is an empty possibility if it does not produce positive outcomes for organisations and their stakeholders. King 4 can provide this framework. Some consider corporate governance to be a matter of common sense rather th...
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