Fraser-Moleketi on receipt of Parliament's response to the APRM process
16 February 2006
In my capacity as the Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism
(APRM) Governing Council in South Africa, I would like to express my
appreciation at Parliament's participation in the very important country
self-assessment process.
What seemed initially as a straightforward project has become an altogether
different kind of exercise, one that is challenging but very exciting.
Challenging to a large extent that instead of controlling the entire process,
we have had to share decision making while still providing resources and
impetus.
Parliament's consultation has not only helped popularise the mechanism, but
has increased citizens' knowledge and understanding of this, our most hallowed
government institution.
The report that Parliament submits today will be incorporated into the
overall Country Self-Assessment Report, which will be debated at the second
National Consultative Conference in April 2006.
This submission will also fit into the programme of action, which will also
be debated and adopted at the second National Consultative Conference. The
conference will attract various stakeholders, including representatives from
the national, provincial and local government, civil society, business, labour,
youth, women, community members and other stakeholders.
As we move forward in the APRM process, we are guided by the need to ensure
that we constructively reflect on those aspects of our country where we have
seen good progress and where improvement or change is needed. It is worth
noting that the primary purpose of the APRM is to foster the adoption of
policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high
economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and
continental economic growth.
I have no doubt that South Africa's participation in the APRM process will
add value to the importance of constantly reviewing ourselves as African
countries so that we learn from one another and move collectively towards
freedom and sustainable development.
Africa is changing. Where others used to decide out fate, we are now taking
on the future and deciding what our destiny will look like. The APRM has helped
other countries in the same way that it has helped us.
On behalf of the APRM Governing Council, I would like to thank both houses
of Parliament for their joint efforts in taking part in our country's APRM
process.
Issued by: Minister of Public Service and Administration
16 February 2006
