Introduction
Reporting frameworks, process
and combined assurance
Introduction
Reporting frameworks, process and combined assurance
When creating our report, we follow several key principles to ensure clarity, compliance, and accountability.
Our report is guided by the international Integrated Reporting Framework, which highlights the importance of a complete view of our operations and long-term sustainability.
We also align our reporting with legal and regulatory requirements, such as the Companies Act of 2008, which outlines corporate governance in South Africa.
Additionally, the King IV™ Report on Corporate Governance™ (2016) plays an important role in shaping our governance practices, helping us maintain high standards of transparency and ethical behaviour.
Internal controls and assurance
At SANBS, we ensure reliable reporting through a combined assurance model that focuses on key strategic risks and important issues. Our accountability framework uses a line of defence model, where different assurance providers collaborate for coordinated oversight. This teamwork enhances the reliability of information disclosed in our integrated report.
To maintain transparency, our Internal Audit team independently assesses non-financial metrics, while our external auditors evaluate the accuracy of our Annual Financial Statements. This external audit builds confidence in the accuracy of our financial reporting. Together, these efforts promote a culture of accountability and trust as we work to effectively serve our stakeholders.
Process to produce our integrated report
The creation of our integrated report is a collaborative effort led by our Board and the Executive Committee, with active contributions from their teams. To ensure a thorough and insightful report, the Executive Committee meets regularly to discuss, review, and provide input throughout the preparation process.
For our 2025 integrated report, we have used various internal management reports, including our dashboard balanced scorecard and minutes from Board and Executive Committee meetings and workshops. This comprehensive information helps us provide a clear overview of our performance and strategy. Once the initial drafts are prepared, they undergo careful review and approval by the Executive Committee. The report is then presented to the Audit Committee for further oversight before receiving final approval from the Board. This rigorous process ensures that our integrated report is accurate, transparent, and demonstrates our commitment to accountability and excellence in serving our stakeholders.
Integrated thinking
Integrated thinking is central to our approach, helping us recognise that we are part of a larger system. This mindset encourages us to consider the broader impact of our decisions rather than focusing solely on short-term financial gains.
With integrated thinking, we ensure that our business remains resilient and adaptable to challenges while consistently delivering value to everyone.
This comprehensive approach helps us align our goals with the community's needs, ultimately enhancing our impact and contributing to a sustainable future for all those we serve.
Forward-looking statements
In this report, we share our journey and insights, including some forward-looking statements about SANBS'
financial position, operations, and future plans. These statements reflect our goals and expectations
based on what we know now, but they also come with risks and uncertainties.
Many factors may influence these projections, and they depend on future events that can be unpredictable.
While we are committed to achieving our goals and overcoming challenges, it's important to note that the
future may unfold in unexpected ways. We provide this information to keep our stakeholders updated on where
we hope to go and how we plan to get there, while recognising the changing nature of our environment. Our
commitment remains strong as we adapt to whatever the future may bring in delivering safe and reliable
blood services for everyone.
Outlook
The outlook information includes the challenges, opportunities, and disruptive factors we have identified that could impact our ability to achieve our strategic objectives. It also outlines our responses to these challenges and highlights potential opportunities. This outlook information can be found throughout the report, including in our Outlook section.
Board responsibility and approval
The Board of Directors, with support from the Audit Committee, is responsible for ensuring that the integrated report is accurate. They rely on information provided and verified by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and his Executive team. SNG Grant Thornton conducts SANBS' internal audits and also verifies certain important Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). No external review has been undertaken for this report except for the auditing of the Annual Financial Statements (AFS), by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which validates the financial figures included in the report. We have taken reasonable steps to ensure that the processes in place maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of the integrated report. Specifically:
Systems, procedures and controls
We have systems and procedures that ensure a variety of input and checks are in place, including internal controls and credible sources of information. These systems are considered effective for ensuring the information presented is complete and accurate.
Allocation of responsibility
Responsibilities are clearly assigned to ensure that the information reported is provided by subject matter experts and responsible executives. The Audit Committee oversees this process.
Oversight and involvement
The Board, as the governing body, has been actively involved and has provided sufficient oversight throughout the preparation process, including approving the process, determining material matters, setting the report boundaries, and reviewing and approving the final content.
The Board, along with its committees, is ultimately responsible for ensuring the integrity of our integrated report and confirms that they have collectively contributed to its preparation and presentation. After a thorough review, the Board is satisfied that the content is accurate, complete, and fairly represents SANBS' important matters, in line with the international Integrated Reporting Framework. The Board approved the 2025 annual Integrated Report on 20 November 2025, taking into account any important events up to that date.
Signed on behalf of the South African National Blood Service Board
Chairperson, Board of Directors