MASS MAIL 09 AUGUST 2005 - HOW'S YOUR NEPAD?

FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA
"Participation Builds Unity"

"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"

FDA NEWSLETTER

MASS MAIL
09 AUGUST 2005
HOW'S YOUR NEPAD?
(All)

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The FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA proudly presents you with the following information that may add value to Africa's development. Please direct any correspondence to: info@isupportafrica.com

HOW'S YOUR NEPAD?

My NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) has always been associated with my vision of 'good governance and prosperity for ALL'.

Some time ago I quoted NEPAD proclaiming that the APRM (African Peer Review Mechanism) recognizes that Africa's development is "impossible in the absence of true democracy, respect for human rights, peace and good governance". I have been pleading for a 'process of participation' to be added to the list.

My NEPAD has recently received a serious setback with a number of concerning incidents negatively impacting on this important NEPAD initiative:

Firstly: In July 2005 I attended a very high-profiled Africa conference, organised by the Africa Institute of South Africa and Policy Network (London).

This event was held in Sandton, South Africa and hosted by the South African Presidency. The topic: Progressive Governance 2005 - "Putting the People First - Towards a Common Progressive Agenda"

NEPAD (APRM), supposedly "Africa's guide to good governance" was not included on the programme, despite the 'event host' being a founder member of the NEPAD initiative!

Dr. Chris STALS, a Member of the Panel of Eminent Persons, serving the APRM (African Peer Review Mechanism), was (at short notice) requested to address a breakaway session entitled: New Economic Paradigm and Managing a Progressive Economy. Dr. STALS should have been the 'keynote' speaker!

Secondly: The South African Government is seriously negotiating a 'loan' to the Zimbabwean Government to avoid Zimbabwe's expulsion from the IMF (International Monetary Fund). The South African Government (according to recent press reports) has listed a number of conditions associated to this 'loan' - once again - no mention of NEPAD!

The South African Government, a founder member to this NEPAD initiative, should only consider 'support' to those countries that have signed into the NEPAD initiative or as mentioned in the NEPAD (APRM) document: 'Governments showing a "demonstrable will" to correct shortcomings will be assisted by other African governments to do so and appeals will be made to donors for specific assistance'

Supporting any government, refusing to participate in the NEPAD (APRM) initiative, defeats the (NEPAD) objective!

Thirdly: The scathing attack, from Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, another founding member of NEPAD, accusing the NEPAD Secretariat of being "inefficient", is as disturbing. In an interview with the French weekly Jeune Afrique l'Intelligent, Wade said the secretariat, headquartered in South Africa, should be "closed down without delay". He recalled that a decision had been taken to move the secretariat to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where it could work under the supervision of the African Union Commission.

Very concerning!

If our leaders are 'snubbing' and 'criticizing' this (NEPAD) initiative how should we - the People of Africa - respond, especially when participation in this initiative has only been available to a select few!

This vision (NEPAD), in support of the African Renewal Programme, has 'delivered' some remarkable achievements recently - the e-Schools Project and the Agricultural Programme - to name but two - notwithstanding the so-claimed 'limited resources' within the NEPAD secretariat. Keeping in mind that some senior members of the NEPAD secretariat have been fiercely competing with NASA astronauts for clocking up Voyager Miles!

Once again, as we have done so many times over the past three years, we extend a hand of support to the NEPAD secretariat in their efforts of promoting this NEPAD vision.

For Africa to succeed in her efforts to develop and prosper ALL of Africa need to take hands.

Take care

For some concerning issues on NEPAD KENYA - see:
NEPAD KENYA

COMMENTS RECEIVED

14 August 2005
Hello Peter
Just a note to thank you for your regular info on Nepad and other international events that impact on Africa's development.
I read with interest today that Wiseman Nkuhlu has resigned as Nepad CEO and will be replaced by Mozambiquan, Firmino Mucavele.
Quite an interesting development against this mail, just received.
Kind Regards
Lionel Grewan
SAFTA (Southern African Fair Trade Access)
SOUTH AFRICA

11 August 2005
Dear Peter,
Greetings!
Thanks for this mail and your observations which are candid.
In Zambia, we are yet to meet and discuss our NEPAD action plan.
Regards,
Chola
Chola MWITWA
Zambia Investment Centre
ZAMBIA

10 August 2005
Having attended the same conference I am also dismayed on the lack of progress on the implementation of the NEPAD and APRM processses ,they have become documents on which we say Africa will develop from but the lack of political will is disturbing .
As for the NEPAD secretariat criticism should be used as guide on how the secretariat can work more effectively and that it begins to inform the people of the continent of its achievements.
It is this lack of informations that allows for unjustified criticism to stand as gospel truth. Lack of information is what is delaying progress on many intitiatives.
How many people know what the ARPM is ? and it must be carried forward.
There has to be a concentrated efforts to allow for information to move from the select few to the rest of the continent .
The myriad of conferences that are taking place have just become talk shop with the same participants over and over again.
Africa must stop talking and start working.
The NEPAD secretariat is not without its faults and needs to clean up its house there is no longer a need for numerous meetings and trips to solict support for the initiative , the support is there.
Lesego Enid MOKONE
SADC Youth Movement
South Africa

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