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Sout h Africa will handover its country assessment report on Wednesday to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Mission.

The APRM is a voluntary self-monitoring tool agreed upon by the African Union in 2003, in Kigali.

Led by Professor Adebayo Adedeji of Nigeria, the APRM country review team arrived in the country on Monday and was expected to hold consultations with the country's APRM Governing Council, business, political parties, government, civil society and President Thabo Mbeki.

South Africa's APRM Governing Council chairperson Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi will hand over the country's self-assessment report to the mission on Wednesday.

The handing over ceremony will be attended by President Mbeki.

The country review mission will be in the country until July 25, and will consult with government departments, parliamentarians, political parties and other institutions such as the Reserve Bank, Chamber of Commerce, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, labour unions and faith based organisations.

The mission will also visit all the country's provinces and meet with President Mbeki.

The APRM is aimed at promoting good governance in Africa through the adoption of laws, policies and practices that will lead to political stability, economic growth, sustainable development and the continent's economic integration.

Countries are expected to conduct self-assessments in line with the APRM guidelines.

South Africa is one of 24 countries that have submitted to the scrutiny.

Rwanda and Ghana were the first countries to be reviewed. Their reports were subsequently released during an African Peer Review Forum in Nigeria last June.

Countries are also expected to produce a programme of action based on the self-assessment reports.

They should also implement such programme of action, monitor and report on progress every three to five years.

With this initiative, the APRM seeks to meets its development objective of eradicating poverty.

The review process is underpinned by the principles of broader stakeholder consultation and mobilisation to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate in the process by making their own inputs.

Early last month, South Africa announced that the country's final draft of the report had revealed that South Africa's democracy was not under threat.

Regarding democracy and good governance, it revealed that South Africa was not in conflict with other countries and there was little potential for future conflict.

However some stakeholders believed that conflicts in other African countries caused tension in South Africa, with relations among local communities strained by the arrival of fleeing foreigners.

Regarding constitutional democracy, South Africa's political system allowed for free and fair elections and the country has institutional mechanisms for meaningful political participation by its citizens.

Its legislative bodies accurately reflect voters' choices and preferences. The Constitution provides the bedrock for the rule of law and entrenches a comprehensive set of inalienable rights.

On the rights of women, the report said South Africa had made significant strides in promoting and protecting their rights.

In keeping with Southern African Development Community (SADC) targets, government aims to achieve a 50% women empowerment in political and decision-making positions by 2009.

Regarding codes of good business ethics, the country is making efforts in promoting corporates through strengthening public sector finance reporting and accountability through the Public Finance Management Act, Municipal Finance Management Act and Treasury Regulations, over which the Auditor General plays an oversight role.

While efforts to combat corruption and unethical practices are acknowledged, some stakeholders raised concerns regarding the effectiveness and co-ordination of the various anti-corruption agencies in the country. -BuaNews

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