1 AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM(APRM): EXPERIENCES & PROCESSES IN THE FREE STATE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA Dr. DOVHANA MAMPHISWANA CHIEF DIRECTOR: PLANNING,

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AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM(APRM): EXPERIENCES &

PROCESSES IN THE FREE STATE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA

Dr. DOVHANA MAMPHISWANA CHIEF DIRECTOR: PLANNING, MONITORING AND RESEARC

DEPARTMENT OF THE PREMIER

SMS CONFERENCE 29-31 AUGUST 2006

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BACKGROUND TO THE APRM

• On 8 July 2002, the 38th Ordinary Session of the Organization of African Unity endorsed the MOU on the APRM.

• Guidelines governing the peer review process are contained in the Base Document of the APRM

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MANDATE OF THE APRM

“To ensure that the policies and practices of the participating states conform to the agreed political, economic and corporate governance values, codes and standards

contained in the declaration of democracy, political, economic and

corporate governance”

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PURPOSE OF THE APRM

“To foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to

political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic

integration through sharing experiences and reinforcement of successful and best

practices.”

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The Objectives Section of the Constitutive Act prescribes that the African Union and its

member states are legally obliged to:

• Promote peace, security and stability on the continent• Promote democratic principles and institutions,

popular participation and good governance• Promote and protect human and peoples’ rights• Promote sustainable development at the economic,

social and cultural levels• Promote cooperation in all fields of human activity to

raise the living standards of African people

A

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• Advance the development of the continent by promoting research in all fields

• Work with international partners in the eradication of preventable diseases and the promotion of good health on the continent

B

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PARTICIPATION IN THE APRM

The APRM is open to 53 member states of the African Union.

Presently more than 23 countries are already participating including

Ghanda, Rwanda, Kenya, Mauritius and South Africa.

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KEY FOCUS AREAS OF THE APRM

• The review process focuses on measuring performance and progress in four areas:

1. Democracy and good political governance

2. Economic governance and management

3. Corporate governance

4. Socio-economic development

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APRM PROCESS IN SOUTH AFRICA

• The first Consultative Conference was held at Gallagher Estate, Midrand on 28 & 29 September 2005.

• The State President, Mr. Thabo Mbeki inaugurated the APRM Governing Council under the leadership of Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Minister of Public Service and Administration.

• The APRM Governing Council consists of people from business, government, organised labour, civil society organisations, and youth, women and people with disabilities.

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COMMITMENT BY PRESIDENT MBEKI TO THE

APRM PROCESS“The Peer Review Process enables each of our

countries to assess the progress it is making towards the achievement of our shared goals.”

“Consistent with our movement’s commitment to a people-driven process of progressive change, we fully support the approach of the APRM to

involve the masses of the people in the peer review process”

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BENEFITS OF THE APRM PROCESS

• Help build institutions involved in the promotion of democracy

• Help improve the relationships between institutions involved in promoting democracy

• Help create a culture of participatory governance• Create a favourable climate for trade & investment

to flourish.• Help SA’s efforts in terms of job creation and

improved service delivery in areas such as health, education, housing & other basic services.

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APRM PROCESS IN THE FREE STATE PROVINCE

• The Free State, with a population of 2,6million people, is one of 9 provinces in South Africa situated in the centre of the country and bordering the Kingdom of Lesotho.

• On 29 November 2005, Premier F.B Marshoff inaugurated the Provincial Governing Council tasked with the responsibility of implementing the provincial APRM programme.

• The Provincial Governing Council is led by MEC Mokitlane with Mec Tsopo (MEC responsible

for Education) as his deputy.

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN THE

APRM PROCESS• Public hearings and door-to-door engagements were

held throughout the 5municipal districts of the Free State province.

• In total 10 362 questionnaires were completed by the community and translated, encoded & computerized for comprehensive analysis by the

University of the Free State.

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RESULTS OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS

• The province successfully achieved the following good governance practices:

1. Rights promoted and protected2. Women supported to fully participate in society3. Rights of the disabled are protected & promoted4. Economic management5. Government finances managed6. Working with neighbouring states7. Vision of the country is shared8. Doing right things to end poverty9. Systems in place to ensure that people are involved in the

development process

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RESULTS OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS(cont)

• The province failed through the following bad governance procedures:

1. Fighting or violence

2. Promotion and protection of children’s rights

3. Corruption in government

4. Delivery of basic services

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Overview of the People of the Free State

• Democracy & Good Political Governance: Mixed Feelings

• Economic Governance and Management: Good

• Corporate Governance: Bad

• Socio-Economic Development: Good

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CHALLENGES OF THE APRM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Lack of co-operation from ward committees and ward councilors

• Time-frame for community engagement was too short

• Process perceived as a political ploy to canvas votes• APRM questionnaire difficult to understand• Difficulty in reaching public hearings due to lack of

transport• Quality of responses compromised due to

lack of time.

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NATIONAL PROGRAMME OF ACTION ON APRM

• The country self-assessment was handed to the State President and a Group of Eminent Persons in July

• A Group of Eminent Persons conducted engagement meetings with the stakeholder across the country

• In the Free State they met with the Premier and EXCO, Legislature and Community Groups

• The National Programme of Action was driven from the country self-assessment report

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NATIONAL PROGRAMME OF ACTION/ CONTINUATION

• Provinces will customize their programme of action based on this programme of action.

• In the Free State we are still identifying gaps between the National Programme of Action and Provincial APRM Report.

• Identified gaps will be presented in the next PCC

• The progamme of action is line with the four thematic areas.

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1. DECMOCRACY AND GOOD POLITICAL GOVERNANCE

MAJOR ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED ARE:

• Human rights awareness

• Access to justice

• Active Public Participation

• Rights-based awareness campaigns

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DECMOCRACY AND GOOD POLITICAL GOVERNANCE/

CONTINUATION

MAJOR ISSUES TO BE ADDRESS ARE:

• Empowerment of vulnerable groups such as woman, children, the disabled, refuges

• Outreach and accessibility initiatives.

• Effectiveness of traditional courts

• Criminal review and reform

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DECMOCRACY AND GOOD POLITICAL

GOVERNANCE/CONTINUATION

MAJOR ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED ARE:

• Creation and strengthening of social dialogue forums

• Community consultation forums such as Community Policing Forum

• Role of the Media led by the media itself

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2. ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

MAJOR ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED ARE:

• Popular participation in policy formulation

• Skills and capacity development• Blockages to service delivery and

unemployment• Project and financial management skills

will be prioritised• Legislatures and local councils will be

trained in the application of legislative• Corruption

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3. SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTMAJOR ISSUES TO BE ADDRESS ARE :

• Poverty• HIV and AIDS• Access by all to basic rights and services

especially children, women and people with disabilities

• Collaborative partnerships that fast-track quality service delivery

• Creating services delivery innovation hubs targeting vulnerable people and marginalized groups

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4. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

MAJOR ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED ARE:

• Company legislation reform • The effectiveness of key institutions• Consumer rights and shareholder, and

shareholder activism• Scaling up of existing consumer

education initiatives

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE/CONTINUATION

MAJOR ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED ARE:

• Active participation in corporate governance by women and other marginalized groups

• Provision of education and information to current and potential shareholders

• Increasing the number of women in executive and other decision making positions

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CONCLUSION

• This programme of action will be successful with the active participation of provincial departments, district and local municipalities.

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THANK YOU