Public Service and Administration Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu has called on all South Africans to participate in the drafting of the country’s third and final African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) country report.
She said citizen’s participation in the drafting of this report was the most important element of the process as it ensured government is held accountable by its citizens.
“From the fifth of February we will be embarking on provincial consultative road shows to talk to various stakeholders ranging from non-governmental organisations, Faith based organisation, youth, disabled and the business sector amongst others to hear their inputs on how government has done in addressing the issues raised in our country review,” said Sisulu.
The consultations will begin in Mpumalanga tomorrow, Tuesday and followed by Limpopo on Friday. The country report is the final South Africa will do since it was peer reviewed in 2007, and is planning to undertake another peer review at a later stage.
According to Minister Sisulu a lot of work was being done in ensuring that the issues raised in the 2007 peer review are attended to. The APRM, she said was also celebrating ten years since it was established and already many African countries were making great improvements in governance and experiencing political stability.
However, Sisulu added there remains greater challenges as the APRM enters its second decade such as ensuring participating member nations comply with recommendations. She also said it was encouraging that more African Union countries were joining the APRM.
“What the APRM has afforded all participating nations is the ability to look at itself honestly and identify its challenges. Without a doubt it has helped our nations to improve good governance and improve citizen’s participation in the governing of their countries in the process holding government accountable,” she said.
Details of the event are as follows:
Venue: Ingwenyama Lodge, White River outside Nelspruit
Time: 9h00
Date: 5 February 2013
For confirmations please contact:
Bongani Mlangeni
Cell: 078 098 9301
E-mail: bongani.mlangeni@dpsa.gov.za
