Public Protector launches the National Good Governance Week

Public Protector Adv. Thuli Madonsela will on Monday, 15 October 2012 launch the annual National Good Governance Week at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Pretoria. The start of a two-day high level conference on Good Governance will mark the launch of the Good Governance Week.

Organised with the support of the German Technical Support Agency, GIZ, the conference will be held under the theme: “Responsive Service Delivery through Ethical Governance.” Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Hon. Richard Baloyi, will deliver a keynote address on behalf of President Jacob Zuma, setting the tone for the conference.

Other dignitaries who will address the conference include the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Hon. Andries Nel, and Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, Adv. Lawrence Mushwana. A media conference will be held at 10:40, where the Public Protector, Minister Baloyi, Deputy Minister Nel and Adv. Mushwana will answer questions relating to the Conference and the Good Governance Week in general.

 Other activities that will characterise the Week include a public lecture at UNISA and workshops at institutions of higher learning; unannounced visits at identified public service delivery points across the country; visits to schools; interactions with rural communities and outreach visits to shopping centres.  

The National Good Governance Week aims to raise awareness regarding the need for a collective consciousness of good governance; understanding of importance of good governance in ensuring responsive service delivery; and understanding the importance of ethical leadership in ensuring good governance and integrity in state affairs among other things.

The campaign, which is the brainchild of the Public Protector and on its third year, has been escalated to a national event to include other oversight bodies, civil society bodies and organs of state. It also seeks to strengthen synergies in the work of governance oversight bodies.

The conference will take place as follows:

As part of activities, the Public Protector will on Tuesday evening (16 October 2012) address a public lecture at Unisa’s Kgorong Building, Muckleneuk campus. The programme starts at 18:00. On Wednesday (17 October 2012), the Public Protector will interact with leaners at Ladium Secondary School at 14:00. They will engage on issues of good governance.

On Thursday (18 October 2012), she will make unannounced visits at service delivery points. Details of this activity will be communicated in due cause. The spot checks will be followed by a meeting with tribal authorities on Friday (19 October 2012).