Xenophobia and its linkages with migration are to feature prominently during Provincial Consultation for the drafting of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) third progress report to be held as from 9h00 on Tuesday 19 February 2012 at the Mmabatho Convention Centre.
The objective of the APRM session for the period October 2010 to January 2013 to be hosted by the North West Provincial Government is to solicit stakeholder inputs on progress made in the implementation of the National Programme of Action (NPoA) and resuscitate Provincial Governing Councils.
The final consolidated country report is to be submitted to the African Union (AU) Summit Head of State and Government of APRM participating countries in May of this year.
“The participation of provincial government departments, municipalities, business sector, traditional leaders, labour, civil society, faith based organisations, non-government organisations, the academia, researchers, women organisations and youth organisations will contribute towards a balanced and objective review that will inform the NPoA,” says Premier Thandi Modise.
Premier Modise has noted that the APRM Country Review Report of 2007 had recorded that in South Africa:
- Definitions and measurement of poverty are agreed upon and applied.
- Land reform contributes to sustainable livelihoods
- Improved effectiveness and efficiency of the education system at all levels.
- Strategies and programmes to improve children’s nutrition and ensure their healthy development are successfully implemented.
- An integrated and holistic approach to combating HIV and AIDS, as well as diseases such as TB and malaria and other communicable diseases
- Universal access to constitutionally mandated basic rights and services.
While it observed that social capital is built at local levels, particularly in vulnerable and marginalised communities, and participation of civil society organisations in socio-economic development processes is improved, it called for development and strengthening of key institutions and social group to make them more effective. This includes support to women-led enterprises,
The report also highlighted that South Africa had demonstrated a firm commitment towards a total overhaul of the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Management (ASM) processes to strengthen its credibility, efficiency and
effectiveness.
Positive policy developments and refugee and immigration regime management that were recorded in the 2007 review report included:
- The Refugees Amendment Act No. 12 of 2011 which enabled the country to establish Refugee Status Determination Committees to improve the objectivity in the adjudication process.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were drafted for officials involved in the processing of asylum seekers such as officials adjudicating claims; the inspectorate; and officials at ports of entry and Permitting to ensure uniformity in the processing of asylum seekers and refugees and more effective security and coordination.
- Progress has been registered in enhancement of the National Internet Information Service (NIIS) that supports the processing of asylum seekers and refugees and assist with the adjudication of asylum claims, the tracking and tracing of applications and the production of reliable management information. This work will feed into the broader modernisation of systems programmes that will enable the integration of the entire management system.
In addition to perceived linkages between migration and xenophobia, the report had noted that one of South Africa’s enduring characteristics is its diverse racial and ethnic composition and warned that, if not appropriately managed, can become a source of tension and division leading to political instability, social unrest, conflict and economic decline.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
