Peer Review Mechanism
4 February 2009
The Summit of the African Heads of States and Government which met in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia last weekend commended South Africa on the quality and standard
of its first implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)
Programme of Action (PoA).
Chairperson of the Heads of States and Government Summit, Ethiopian Prime
Minister Meles Zenawi called on other African states to emulate South Africa's
report which he said was exemplary, highly readable, well focused on the issues
identified during the review.
South Africa voluntarily acceded to the African Peer Review Mechanism in
March 2003 in an effort to improve political governance and foster economic
growth and integration in the continent.
South Africa's report is a joint effort between business, civil society and
government in the National Governing Council (NGC) of the APRM. The report
covers the period from November 2007 to December 2008 and outlines the actions
taken to address the challenges identified in the Country Self Assessment and
Country Review Reports.
The report which was presented by the Public Service and Administration
Minister, Masenyani Richard Baloyi responded to the 23 issues raised in country
review report that includes the issues of poverty and inequality; capacity
constraints and poor service delivery; land reform; violence against women and
children; HIV and AIDS pandemic; corruption; crime; racism and xenophobia and
management of diversity.
Minister Baloyi said "Civil society organisations remain critical partners.
Their participation in government processes has contributed to building and
sustaining our democracy. Through the APRM processes, we have seen this
partnership grow and mature. We are together on determining priorities for
service delivery; fighting crime, fighting corruption, enhancing labour
relations and many other areas of engagement. Civil society participation in
South Africa is all inclusive."
"It is therefore important for us to ensure that participation of civil
society organisations within the APRM structures is widened to include
organisations that are not represented in the Economic, Social and Cultural
Council (ECOSOC). We identify this limitation in participation as a strategic
challenge, which the APRM need to consider in moving forward" the minister
said.
Sharing South Africa's experience in compiling the report with his African
counterparts, Minister Baloyi said "The report writing process gave us an
opportunity to review the strengths, mechanisms, processes and strategies of
the National Governing Council (NGC) in supporting the national process of
implementing the PoA. There is a consensus that there is a need to revamp and
strengthen the NGC in order to enhance its ability to monitor and evaluate the
implementation of the PoA at national and provincial levels. The revamp of the
NGC would ensure more co-ordinated efforts between business, civil society and
government."
In addition, provincial governing councils would be reactivated to ensure
that there is better synergy between national and provincial levels on
implementation and reporting. In order to further enhance the reporting
process, focal points at national, provincial and local government departments
will be established to participate in the APRM co-ordinating committee that
will be formed in the office of the focal point. This reactivation process is
envisaged to be completed by March 2009.
The NGC has also resolved to convene monthly meetings where a concept note
on each of the thematic areas would be presented.
"As an on-going debate on issues emanating from the Country Review Report,
the NGC took a decision to further engage on some of the cross-cutting issues
that we believe require more so as to give a clear meaning to those issues,
such as xenophobia, corruption, racism, the role of media as well as the role
of civil society in a democratic dispensation. This will enable the country
robust debate, arrive at a consensus and take action on these cross cutting
issues," said Minister Baloyi.
For further information contact:
Lebohang Mafokosi
Tel: 012 336 1017
Cell: 082 312 4641
E-mail: lebohangm@dpsa.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry for the Public Service and Administration
4 February 2009
