The South African delegation to the Pan African Parliament said yesterday that progress made during the second ordinary session of the parliament, held in Gauteng, had laid a firm foundation for future work.

Speaking at a media briefing, the delegation - consisting of five South African members of parliament - stressed the importance of its function to serve the broader African community, beyond the narrow confines of a policy of a single party or country.

Baleka Mbethe, speaker of the South African Parliament, stated that a key step during the session was the constitution of committees, election of office bearers and the development of work programmes for the committees.

Members of the South African delegation were assigned to the following committees:
- Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution - Mbethe;
- Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline - MJ Mahlangu;
- Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration - F Hajaig;
- Committee on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology - Suzanne Vos (elected to the position of rapporteur); and
- Committee on Justice and Human Rights - Z Madasa.

While protocol of the Pan African Parliament does not explicitly provide for an oversight function, the rules adopted by the session do, and a solid base for the future progress has been established.

Commenting on financing, Mbethe said that while the Pan African Parliament's budget of $6,9-million for the next financial year was approved during the Johannesburg session, finding sources of additional funding still remained a challenge.

“Additional funding to what the African Union will provide has to be found,” Mbethe commented.

However, she stressed that suggestions made by Parliamentary President Gertrude Mongella, that funding be obtained through special levies on entities such as mines, was simply one of various potential funding instruments to be examined in greater detail at this stage.

Mongella said earlier in the week that it may be time for those who benefit from Africa's mineral and other resources to reinvest in the continent.

The third ordinary session of the Pan African Parliament is expected to be held in March next year and is expected to take Africa forward in consolidating the establishment of the African Union and its organs.

It will play a vital role in furthering the objectives as stated in the Constitutive Act, the Protocol of the Pan African Parliament, as well as the terms of the broad vision for the integration of the African continent.