The Deputy Minister for Public Service and Administration, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga,, closed the APRM Public Forum that took place from Monday till yesterday in Durban.
Speaking at the end of the Public Dialogue, she said Cabinet has set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to serve on the council of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).
“Five Ministers have been assigned to the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) as a way of renewing our mandates to serve in the new National Governing Council (NGC).
“As stakeholders and members from the Civil Society Organizations, you also need to determine how you want to be represented in the new APRM National Governing Council (NGC) and work together with the IMC in this effort of restoring the dignity of our people,” she said.
The Public Dialogue was hosted as part of the roadmap towards the South Africa 2nd Generation Review expected to take place next year.
According to Deputy Minister Chikunga, the mandate of the current NGC is ending December 11 2019 when the new NGC will be elected with a new mandate to spearhead the implementation of the second generation review process.
She said the APRM second-generation review is but one critical element towards achieving the goals and aspirations of the NDP 2030.
“The last two days have confirmed that it will be important that we do our best to be innovative, futuristic and continue to engage in ways that help us drive towards finding solutions instead of falling into the temptation of highlighting challenges.
“The role of the APRM as an important instrument to assess our governance performance and strengthen our efforts toward sustainable development and prosperity in South Africa and the Continent cannot be underscored,” she said.
Also speaking at the event focusing on the way forward, DPSA Director-General, Prof Richard Levin said the institutional model of the APRM NGC should be lean to ensure operational effectiveness.
“A clear and formalised funding model should also be put in place to ensure effectiveness and sustainability accompanied by accountability and transparency.”
He said linked to the communication strategy that was presented, stakeholder relations should be strengthened for effective participation and knowledge management strategies also improved.
Mr Bongani Matomela, of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), also speaking at the Public Dialogue said there is a commitment to support the APRM processes towards the 2nd Generation Review.
Presently, the APRM is comprised of 38 Member States who have voluntarily adhered to the Mechanism.
The NGCs were introduced in the APRM Process in 2004, as part of the decisions emanating from the Inaugural Forum of Heads of State and Government held in Kigali in Feb 2004 to deepen citizen participation, the principle of national governance ownership, transparency and accountability to government and to manage the APRM at the national level.
South Africa completed its first review, which is considered as an innovative approach designed and implemented by Africans for Africa in 2007.
