The WCO delivered a Leadership and Management Development (LMD) workshop for the Customs top executives of the South Africa Revenue Service (SARS) from 9 to 12 October 2022. The objective of the workshop was to increase teamwork and individual leadership to better navigate various key challenges faced and as a cross-cutting enabler for the effective implementation of trade facilitation reforms.

Mr. Beyers Theron, SARS Director of Customs Border Operations, Ports of Entry and Customs Compliance, and his top executive team participated in the off-site workshop. The interactive workshop focused on three levels (individual, team and organization). On an individual level, interpersonal communication was addressed; on a team level, building trust was emphasized; and on the organizational level, the need for strategic management in relation to day-to-day operational priorities was underlined. Mr. Beyers Theron and his top executive team members participated in the off-site workshop.

The Customs team zoomed in on the most strategic challenges of the organization. The workshop was tailor-made to address the current needs, requirements and main challenges of SARS, which were assessed based on the responses to a questionnaire. The exercises raised greater awareness of the team’s role in driving change forward. It resulted in the team’s commitment to an Action Plan presented to SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, including a focus on rolling out the SARS leadership model throughout the Customs organization and working towards ‘smart borders’ to create a seamless experience for legitimate traders.

This LMD workshop was supported by the WCO’s Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme as funded by the United Kingdom’s HM Revenue & Customs. The Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme looks forward to continuing to support SARS on its journey to implement the SARS’ Leadership vision and on the effective implementation of the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement.

For more information on the WCO Leadership and Management Development Programme, please contact Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org.