Issued by: National Development Agency Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee on a process of developing Institutional relations with organs of Civil Society and government was endorsed by the cabinet on the 03 July 1996. The Advisory committee chaired by Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry Mrs Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has been in operation since April 1996 and consists primarily of members of civil society and by resolution of cabinet, the ministries of finance, welfare and public works.
The National Development Agency is a proposed structure that could replace the existing Transitional Development Trust (TNDT) which comprises the Kagiso Trust, the NGO coalition, the Independent Development Trust and the community constituency of Nedlac which was a temporary arrangement which was brought about by then Minister without portfolio in the RDP office.
The office of the Executive Deputy President Thabo Mbeki is charged with the responsibility to advise the cabinet by 30 September 1996 on the role of such a NDA, its structure, legal status, relationship to government, relationship to other existing development institutions in particular IDT which was founded by government, the financial relationship which government and civil society must have in this process as well as the management of existing institutional arrangements and their implications to existing funding development agencies as well as the passing out of the TNDT.
A Today meeting attend by: NGO Coalition, CBO, TNDT and Govt Dept, that is:- Public Works, Welfare, Health, the following issues have arisen:
- Government will need a capacity to respond timeously and efficiently to civil society bodies which are addressing developmental issues which are in line with national priorities.
- The governance of that body should not be on the constituency representation.
- Government must provide a legal and policy framework for the NGO/Government relations.
- Relations must go beyond money but delivery issues which must be an obligation for both government and civil society.
- Specialisation and sectoral focus between NGOs and line ministries must not be compromised.
- Provincial workshops planned by the advisory committee will further explore these issues. A national process will draw on the provincial events and allow for consensus building workshops at Nedlac and other levels.
- NDA should not be a one stop shop but could be an agency of Government Departments in working with organisations of civil society.
The members of the advisory committee to advise the Executive Deputy President include Mrs Pahumzile Ngcuka, Mrs Rams Ramashia, Mr Griffiths ZAABALA. Mrs Mercia Andrews, Mr Yasmin Sooka, Mrs Rose September, Mr Randall Howard, Mr Pieter Haasbroek, Mr Haylton Appalbaum, Ms Shirley Moulder, Mr Johan Brisman, Ms Lisebo McCarthy, Mr Faarooq Mangera, Ms Lulu Gwagwa, David Whaley and Mr Bongani More.
In its existence the advisory committee has already visited Sweden to study the Swedish model. The committee has also collected and analysed data that typifies civil society organisations that may benefit from this relationship with government.
A workshop to kick start a process of civil society participation will be launched on the 26 August 1996 at the Union Building where invited government departments and other development institutions will make presentations on their expectations and views on an NDA. A series of provincial workshops from then will be held at venues to be announced soon where NGOs, CBOs and voluntary organisations can make submissions and participate in a process that would ensure that their interests have been catered on in this probable emergent structure and process.
The chairperson of the advisory committee Mrs Ngcuka said `We hope that all key stakeholders will express their opinions and views in this matter in the most constructive and helpful manner in order to advance the cause of democracy and the participation of all levels of peoples in our society!
For further clarifications all interested parties can contact the NGO Liaison office attention Ms Seipati More Tel: 011-355 6236 at 5th Floor East Wing, No 30 Simmonds Street corner Commissioner Street.
26 August 1996