UFH – For The Development and Implementation of NEPAD In The Eastern Cape Province

The University of Fort Hare, the Office of the Premier of the Eastern Cape and the Presidency held a workshop to localize the concept of the African Renaissance and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The workshop was held on the 17th May 2002 at the Kennaway Hotel in East London and was officially opened by the Director for Special Projects in the Premier’s Office, Dr M. Mazibuko.

In his opening address, Dr Mazibuko said, “South Africa is to assume the first chair of the African Union and the rest of the continent is looking up to us to play a leading role on the continent. This launch is a presidential initiative that recognizes that though NEPAD is a macro development initiative, we must not overlook the importance of mobilizing grass root support and participation in the drive towards the African renewal, for it is only with a clear understanding of the concept of the African Renaissance that ownership and total commitment to the programme can be achieved.” He said that the African Renaissance drive must not be seen as just an academic concept because its success hinges on the understanding and participation of all citizens and residents of this great continent.

The workshop follows the announcement last year by the Hourable Premier of the Eastern Cape Rev. Makhenkesi Stofile, that he mandates the University of Fort Hare to become the hub of the development and implementation of the programme of African Renaissance in the province.

Dr John Kujoe from the Africa Institute of South Africa who presented a paper on NEPAD said, “NEPAD is a comprehensive and integrated programme for the socio-economic development of Africa. It states the problems facing the continent and maps out the plan of action to resolve these problems”. He said that the aims and objectives of the programmes was to eradicate poverty in Africa and to place African countries both individually and collectively, on the path of substainable growth and development so as to halt the marginalization of Africa in the globalization process.

Dr Jujoe went on to state that among the challenges that NEPAD faces are to:
• Strengthen mechanisms for conflict management and resolution
• Promotes and protect democracy and human rights by developing clear standards
• Of accountability, transparency and participative governance
• Promote the development of infrastructure, agriculture and its diversification,
• Promote the role of women in social and economic development
• Revitalize and extend the provision of education, technical and health services (with priority to HIV/AIDS, malaria etc).
• Restore and maintain macro-economic stability by developing standards and targets for fiscal monetary policies and appropriate institutional frameworks.
• Institute transparent legal and regulatory frameworks for financial markets and auditing of private companies and the public sector.
• Build the capacity of African states to set and enforce the legal framework and maintain law and order.

He concluded his presentation by saying that, “The successful implementation of this programme will be measured by the reduction of poverty and inequality, economic growth, development and increased employment together with the diversification of the productive activities, becoming more competitive on the global market and increasing volumes of export.

Presenting his paper on the African Union, Winston Meso also of the Africa Institute of South Africa, said, “The Organisation of African Unity was formed in 1963 with a largely political mandate to eradicate colonial rule and with the fall of apartheid in 1994, the last vestige of colonialism also came down. Africa was now faced with different challenges and the African Union has emerged to marry the continents political ambitions with economic ambitions. The African Union Consultative Act has both political principles like unity, solidarity, sovereignty and economic and development objectives. Its rationale is to seek a departure from the old towards a rebirth of continental governance.’ He stated that the African Union was strong on human rights issues and had equally strong financial institutions together with conflict resolution mechanisms.

Delegates to the workshop comprised members from the broad spectrum of society including four district municipalities, namely Amathole, Ukhahlamba, Chris Hani and Cacadu (Western) District municipalities. Attendants included, members of civil society, disabled people, non-government organizations and officials from local municipalities.

Session Chairperson, Mr Nkosohlanga Mboniswa said, “Five individuals from the delegates will be nominated to receive further training as community trainers in their local areas.” Mboniswa further stated that the workshop was also to solicit the input from the delegates, to know what their expectations of NEPAD were and what role they can play towards the success of the initiative.