The Chairperson of the National Governing Council (NGC) and Focal Point on the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Minister Richard Baloyi convened a civil society consultative summit today at the Diep in die Berg Lodge in Pretoria.
In attendance at the summit today were representatives of various community based groupings who discussed the report at length, consolidated and validated the contents of the report on the implementation of South Africa's programme of action ahead of its tabling at the Heads of State and Government summit.
The civil society consultation follows that of the government sector last month and will be followed by a gathering of traditional leaders who will also participate in making contributions to pertinent subjects contained in the report. Issues contained in the report include xenophobia, black economic empowerment (BEE), migration in South Africa and the impact of the FIFA 2010 World Cup, all of which were not included when the country tabled the first implementation report in 2009.
In the keynote address, Minister Baloyi traced the road that South Africa has travelled since the compilation of the Report. He said the inclusion of views from all the sectors of the country, including government, business, civil society and traditional leaders would not only enrich the report but would "ensure the ownership of the process by all, as it rightfully belongs to them".
Traditionally attended by Heads of State and Government among others, the APR Forum is an arm of the APRM - a voluntary mechanism through which African Union member-states promote good governance and democracy by assessing themselves according to set standards and practices for political stability, international cooperation and economic growth and development.
For more information, contact:
Dumisani Nkwamba
Cell: 082 885 9448
Tel: 012 336 1704
E-mail: dumisanin@dpsa.gov.za
Lebohang Mafokosi
Cell: 082 312 4641
Tel: 012 336 1017
E-mail: lebohangm@dpsa.gov.za
