Wednesday, October 13, 2010

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Henry Lazenby.

Making headlines:

A Presidential review committee, established by President Jacob Zuma in May, to offer guidance on how some 300 State-owned enterprises (SoEs) and agencies could contribute to government's ‘developmental State' mandate, has been given until September 2011 to conclude its work.
Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said on Tuesday that the 12-person committee, headed by Riah Phiyega, would also provide a midterm report during February 2011. Chabane also outlined the terms of reference for the committee, which will review all entities including SoEs, agencies and utilities, as well as companies in which the State has a significant shareholding.
Chabane indicated that the review will interrogate whether SoE failures were exaggerated and whether these entities did in fact perform worse than private firms. The review would also assess whether reform was necessary and make recommendations as to how this could be accomplished.

Canada suffered a humiliating defeat on Tuesday when it was forced to withdraw from the race for a seat on the prestigious United Nations (UN) Security Council, conceding victory to Portugal in the annual election. In addition to Portugal, the General Assembly elected Germany, India, South Africa and Colombia to two-year seats on the council. Canada had been vying with Germany and Portugal for the two seats in their geographical group but pulled out when it became clear that it lacked adequate support.
While the ten temporary elected members do not hold veto power like the five permanent members, they do have some power because a council resolution needs nine votes in favour, as well as no vetoes to pass. Several Western diplomats said that the presence of India and South Africa on the council may complicate matters if Washington were to push for new sanctions against Iran.
When South Africa was on the council in 2007/8, it was a headache for the US, France and Britain. South Africa joined Russia and China in voting down sanctions against Zimbabwe's leaders, was reluctant to sanction Iran over its nuclear programme and stood with China against condemning Myanmar.
South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said that the country would push for a suspension of the International Criminal Court's prosecution of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for genocide in Darfur - something that the US, British and French delegations oppose.

Public Protector Thulisile Madonsela wants to collaborate with other oversight institutions to ensure that nothing falls through the cracks during investigations.
Speaking at a three-day conference in Pretoria on Public Protector Commonwealth Good Governance, Madonsela said: "We are working together in a multiagency approach." The Public Protector Good Governance campaign aims to enhance public awareness of offices' mandates, role and services.
Referring to the collaboration between institutions, Madonsela said that the idea was to look at the statutory mandate and overlaps within all ten oversight institutions - such as the Independent Complaints Directorate, the Human Rights Commission and the Auditor General. In their own different roles, these institutions have the responsibility for systematically promoting good governance.

Also making headlines:

South African President Jacob Zuma expresses his satisfaction at progress made in changing the way that the public service works to improve service delivery, yet cautions against the excessive use of consultants in government.
The Economic Community of West African States warns that organised crime in West Africa risks wiping out gains made in the region unless governments work together to tackle the threat.
South Africa will study the potential of a proposed Free Trade Area between the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community.
And, Guinea Presidential hopeful Cellou Dallein Diallo is still opposed to taking part in a run-off election on October 24 despite having agreed to share power with his opponent whoever wins.

That's a rounup of news making headlines today.