African Renaissance & International Cooperation Fund Act; SADC Summit

Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
19 September 2001
AFRICAN RENAISSANCE AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FUND ACT AND SADC SUMMIT: BRIEFING

SUMMARY
The Chief Director of Africa Multilaterals in the Department of Foreign Affairs stated that the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund Act identified projects for regional integration.

Several issues were presented at the SADC summit including HIV Aids, economic growth, United Nations sanctions against UNITA, the need to implement the MAP/New Africa initiative and transformation of the OAU into the African Union. Land reform, gender issues, protocols and nutrition were also discussed.

MINUTES
African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund Act:
Ms Kudjoe, the Chief Director of Africa Multilaterals in the Department of Foreign Affairs stated that the Renaissance Act was promulgated on January 22, 2001, its purpose being to identify and fund projects for regional integration in order to:
-promote democracy and good governance,
-prevent/resolve conflicts, such as Angola and the DRC
-socio-economic development/integration.

It is intended as a vehicle to attract foreign direct investment to the region, whilst also being involved in disaster management,such as the Mozambique floods. The three main institutes are:
-Secretariat -- provided by Department of Foreign Affairs for reports and project proposals
-Advisory Committee
-Office of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Finance.

The Ministers have to approve the proposals before implementation. Funding has been taken over from the previous 1968 legislation, but the Department is also looking for a fund-raiser. Donor funds in dollars rather than rands is needed, because of the continuing weakness of the rand.

First Meeting of Personnel July 19 - July 27 First Initiatives:
Return of Comores Islands to constitutional order
Assistance for Lesotho elections
IEC capacity building in the Region
Reconstruction of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Landmines
Appointment of Miriam Makeba as Emergency Humanitarian Goodwill Ambassador

SADC Summit Meeting, Blantyre, August 2001
The major issues discussed at the summit meeting were:
-HIV/Aids
-40% of the population of SADC lives in poverty. Economic growth of six to seven per cent per annum is needed to reduce poverty
-Peace and stability is a prerequisite for economic growth and development
-Weather conditions, floods
-Consolidation of democracy - DRC and Angola being encouraged to participate in negotiations.
-United Nations sanctions against UNITA
-President Obasango to mediate between the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe
-Zimbabwe situation which is affecting the entire region
-Need to implement the MAP/New Africa initiative
-Transformation of the OAU into the African Union

Food: Due to weather and civil strife, there is a shortage of cereals and maize in all SADC countries except South Africa and Mozambique.

Land Reform: There is a need to share experience in the region, and to recognise that most people are rural and poor.

Gender Equality: SADC has adopted a target of 30% women in politics by 2005. South Africa has reached this figure, but other countries have much to do. Elections and Cabinet reshuffles offer opportunities. Tanzania has amended its constitution to give momentum to this initiative.

Protocols: There remains no proper assessment of how protocols are implemented. Nonetheless, five new protocols were signed at the Summit:
-Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation
-Firearms, Ammunition and other related materials
-Culture, Information and Sport
-Fisheries
-Corruption

The 2002 SADC summit meeting is to be hosted by Angola.

Discussion
M r Geldenhuys (NNP) asked why there was a need for a fund-raiser? Is Parliament supposed to vote the money?

Mr Ebrahim (ANC) enquired on what funding is available?

Ms Kudjoe stated that R243 million has been taken over from the 1968 legislation.