self-assessment report
7 April 2006
From Tuesday to Friday, 4 to 7 April 2006, South Africaâs African Peer
Review Mechanism (APRM) Governing Council held four seminars to assess
governance in the Country. The seminars are part of the process of developing a
country self-assessment report that will be presented (along with a programme
of action) to stakeholders at next monthâs second APRM Consultative
Conference.
The APRM is an African Union initiative to help African countries improve
the way they manage and govern themselves. South Africa is one of 23 countries
that have agreed to participate in the mechanism, which entails undertaking a
frank self-assessment and coming up with a programme to address the problems
and shortcomings identified.
The long-term impact of the mechanism relates to how well the programme of
action gets implemented and the effect that it has on governance in each
country.
Initial concerns that South Africaâs approach was government dominated have
proved to be unfounded. A participatory and inclusive approach has been
followed that has seen meaningful participation by organised groups as well as
by many individuals from all walks of life. This has involved both individuals
and groups voicing their opinions and submitting these to the National APRM
Secretariat.
In order to help pull all the submissions together and to assist with
drafting the Self-Assessment Report, four non governmental organisations have
been contracted as Technical Support Agencies by the National APRM
Secretariat.
This weekâs seminars discussed the technical reports prepared by the
agencies, which also co-hosted the events and considered whether the reports
are an accurate reflection of the state of governance in South Africa.
The first seminar held on Tuesday this week was co-hosted by the Institute
for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa) and focused on democracy and good
political governance. It considered the challenges associated with meeting the
promise of our sophisticated and progressive constitutional dispensation. The
need to address vulnerable groups and human trafficking was acknowledged. The
tone and character of the day was collegial and collaborative and the exercise
was constructive and useful.
The second seminar focused on co-operate governance and was co-hosted by the
African Institute for Corporate Citizenship. Business was not well represented
at the seminar and compliance and enforcement were themes that came up
repeatedly.
Parliament was a key contributor, making use of inputs provided to it by the
JSE amongst others.
The third seminar, co-hosted by the Institute for Economic Research on
Innovation, addressed governance issues in socio-economic development. There
was a high level of consensus on challenges facing South Africa and linking the
two economies was seen as a major priority if poverty is to be overcome. It was
also noted that we must ensure that the Programme of Action is well resourced
so that it is properly implemented.
The last seminar, co-hosted by the South African Institute for International
Affairs, focused on economic governance and management.
Seminar participants included parliamentarians, institutions and
organisations that have registered as APRM Research Partners, government and
provincial representatives and other specially invited experts.
We are very satisfied with the high level participation enjoyed at the
seminars and feel they have made very good progress. Winning nations are built
on shared visions, and these seminars are showing that this exists in South
Africa. Our vision is for a successful, caring and peaceful society in which
the benefits of growth are shared by all. These seminars are part of the
journey that will help make this vision a reality.
Enquiries:
Clayson Monyela
Tel: (012) 336 1167
Cell: 082 806 7405
Email: claysonm@dpsa.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry of Public Service and Administration
7 April 2006
