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29 September 2005
The role of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Governing Council
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South Africa's approach to the APRM and our implementation of the process will be led by the governing council.
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The governing council needs to play an oversight and accountability role but not in a hands-off kind of way. We intend meeting the nine-month timeframe suggested by APRM timeframes. This means there is a going to be a lot of pressure on the council. It will have to be an active, working structure rather than a ceremonial one.
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There will be a Secretariat responsible for implementing activities and providing the support services required by the governing council for the process overall. The council will have to manage and supervise the Secretariat and provide the leadership it needs to perform effectively.
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More important than the functions and activities it performs is the council's symbolic and representative role. The Minister of Public Service and Administration noted yesterday that the governing council is a midwife to our vision of the future. The governing council needs to ensure that this vision is a representative one shared in all sectors of our society and supported by tangible, practical plans.
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Our national vision must be achievable and realistic and needs to provide a framework that others can use to structure their programmes: the public service, the broader public sector, business, labour, community based and non governmental organisations and other elements of civil society.
Structure of the Governing Council
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The governing council will comprise five government representatives and 10 civil society representatives.
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Government's representatives will be the Ministers of Finance, Trade and Industry, Justice and Constitutional Development, Public Service and Administration and the Minister in The Presidency.
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The Ministers will announce designated alternates who may on occasion represent them at council meetings.
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Civil society representatives were selected through a process co-ordinated by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Government has had absolutely nothing to do with the selection of civil society representatives. They represent a diverse cross section of civil society organisations and we are confident they will meet the challenges I outlined earlier. They are as follows:
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Mr Bheki Sibiya
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Mr Looks Matoto
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Ms Zanele Twala
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Dr Nomonde Mqhayi
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Ms Thabisile Msezane
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Mr Randal Howard
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Dr Mongane Wally Serote
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Mr Master Mahlobogoane
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Mrs Laura Kganyago
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Mr Mahlomola Skhosana
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Minister Trevor Manuel
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Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa
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Minister Bridgette Mabandla
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Minister Geraldine Fraser Moleketi
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Minister Essop Pahad.
Chairing the Governing Council
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New Partnership for Africa's Development's (NEPAD) Guidelines call for a Minister to be appointed as the national focal point to co-ordinate and manage the process of developing the self-assessment, the programme of action and other aspects of the process.
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The Minister of the Department of Public Service Administration is South Africa's focal point. To ensure consistency and coherence, it seems like a good idea for her to also chair the governing council. This will also help balance the differences in the number of government and civil society representatives.
Issued by: Public Service Commission
29 September 2005
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- 14Kb < 1min (2 pages)
