Pretoria, South Africa, 1st June 2018 – A meeting between the APRM Focal Point and Minister, Hon. Ayanda Dlodlo and the APR Lead Panellist for the Republic of South Africa, Hon. Bishop Sengulane, was held at the Ministry of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), in Pretoria, South Africa on 1st June 2018. The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Ministers’ Office and representatives from the APRM Continental Secretariat. This meeting follows a series of engagements between the APR Lead Panellist and the office of the APRM Focal Point for the Republic of South Africa, in July 2017; these discussed the implementation of the 2nd Generation Country Review Process for the Republic of South Africa.

This meeting was chaired by the Honourable Minister, who welcomed the APR Lead Panelist and the APRM delegation. The Honourable Minister stated that the Cabinet of the Republic of South Africa has approved the APRM 2nd Generation Country Review and an inter-ministerial committee had been developed.

A commitment was made to revitalize and reconstitute the APRM National Governing Council (NGC) in the Republic of South Africa; a conference of the NGC will be hosted to engage with civil society stakeholders. The conference will ensure that the country prepares for the 2nd Generation Country Review, ahead of a Country Self-Assessment Report. The Honourable Minister further indicated that her office will formally communicate the confirmed dates of the conference to the APRM Continental Secretariat. Being mindful of the upcoming general elections in 2019, and despite capacity challenges within the APRM Desk, the office of the Minister further noted that it will work with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) towards planning for a 2nd Generation Country Review for Republic of South Africa.

The APR Lead Panellist for South Africa, Hon. Bishop Sengulane, gave a statement on the APRM Process in the Republic of South Africa. He commended the Republic of South Africa for its consistent support to and engagement with the APRM since the country’s accession in March 2003. The Republic of South Africa is a founding member state of the APRM. It is in part, owing to this pioneering role, that Hon. Bishop Sengulane noted that the 2nd Generation Country Review would be timely as it would take place in the context of the 15th anniversary of the APRM which seeks to promote Universal Accession to the Mechanism; as well as APRM’s expanded mandate to monitor and evaluate the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030.

The Meeting concluded with remarks by the Honourable Minister, Ayanda Dlodlo, who stated that Republic of South Africa is strongly committed to the 2nd Generation Country Review, as well as the APRM Process.