FROM THE UNION BUILDINGS
A message from President Cyril Ramaphosa
Good governance is essential for peace and prosperity
2003 and has undergone two assessments. Our most recent assessment was last year, where we were assessed on democratic and political governance, economic management, corporate governance, socio-eco-
S
nomic development and outh Africa’s two-
promote and protect hu-
states to join by the end
year chairship of
man rights, consolidate
of this decade.
the African Peer
democracy and advance
state resilience. Our country received
The APRM encourages
favourable reviews for,
Review Forum came to an
good governance and the
best practice for politi-
among others, the rule of
end recently at the 35th
rule of law among African
cal, social and economic
law, oversight bodies like
African Union Assembly of
countries.
stability, while helping
our Chapter 9 institu-
to address governance
tions, the advancement
55 member states, 42
deficiencies by providing
of women’s rights, strong
are now members of the
a National Programme
refugee protection and
structures of the African
APRM. In the last two
of Action for each state
our extensive social wel-
Peer Review Mechanism
months, the Democratic
concerned.
fare net.
(APRM), which aims to
Republic of Congo and
Heads of State and Government.
The forum is one of the
Of the African Union’s
In essence, the APRM
South Africa was also
is a voluntary arrange-
cited for its strong cor-
most recent coun-
ment among participating
porate governance, open
tries to join the
states “to assess and re-
budget processes and for
mechanism.
view governance at Head
the proliferation of corpo-
of State peer level”.
rate social responsibility
Burundi became the
Efforts are
initiatives.
underway to
By joining the APRM,
encourage all
states agree to indepen-
remaining AU
dently review their com-
the evolution of our elec-
member
pliance with continental
toral system through the
and international govern-
introduction of independ-
ance commitments.
ent candidature for last
South Africa was one of the first countries to join the APRM in
We were also praised for
year’s local government elections. With regards to management of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa was congratulated for demonstrating resilience
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Public Sector Manager • February 2022
