President Jacob Zuma will officially launch a research centre established to serve as a focal point for African ombudsman institutions at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Durban next week.
The African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC) is a resource of the African Ombudsman and Mediators' Association (AOMA), a body that works to entrench good governance, upholding of the rule of law and respect for human rights by supporting, developing and protecting the independence of ombudsman institutions across the continent.
The centre will be responsible for creating awareness about the existence of ombudsman institutions, generating, preserving and disseminating information on issues related to the ombudsman institution and researching trends and practices that have to do with this institution in Africa. It will also provide training, research support and advocacy services to AOMA.
The centre will further seek to promote the ideals and independence of ombudsman institutions and engage with relevant international bodies such as the African Union and the United Nations on issues of good governance and the role of the ombudsman institution.
Heads of 36 ombudsman institutions, which are members of AOMA, led by the body's President and Ombudsman of Angola, Paulo Tjipilica, will descend on South Africa to attend the event.
The event will take place as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Venue: Dennis Sheptone Building, level 5 (unveiling of plaque) and Howard College Theatre (launch ceremony), at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Howard College Campus in Durban
Time: 14h00
The launch will be preceded by the AOMA Executive Committee meeting and followed by a needs assessment workshop attended by all member countries. The workshop will seek to establish member countries' needs and identify the role the centre can play to respond to those issues.
Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela is AOMA's Executive Secretary after South Africa was re-elected to the position during the third General Assembly of the association in Luanda, Angola in April last year.Media is invited to cover the event.
Journalists wishing to cover the event should confirm their attendance with:
Oupa Segalwe
Tel: 012 366 7035
Cell: 072 264 3273
Bongo Sonqishe
Tel: 012 300 5326
Cell: 072 526 4843
For more information contact:
Themba Mthethwa
CEO: Public Protector South Africa (AOMA Secretariat)
Cell: 082 838 7440
Source: SAPA
