JOHANNESBURG - The Whistleblowers Awards 2026 will be held in Johannesburg on Monday to recognise people who expose corruption and wrongdoing in the public and private sectors.
Public Interest SA's Tebogo Khaas said whistleblowers' role in exposing alleged wrongdoing and the risks they face when doing so has been highlighted at various commissions of inquiry.
"In darkness, democracy dies. And our mantra is let's make our democracy work. It is important that those who see wrongdoing being perpetrated, either in the private or public sector, they actually get to shine a light on it.
And in so doing, it will stem the tide of corruption, it will ensure that we encourage ethical leadership, but more importantly, ethical citizenship. And this year, we've seen the relevance or the importance of whistleblowing, as we've seen what the revelations before the Madanga Commission, and even going back to the Zondo Commission, where whistleblowers came and expressed what they saw and what they did about it. Unfortunately, in most instances, there's obviously retaliation and all that, but it is still important for people to speak out.
Should people speak out at all costs? No, we don't say that. It has to be done responsibly, but also in a manner that you also secure, you make sure that you don't put yourself at risk or others at risk."