Hon Deputy Speaker, the African Charter can be described as being born out of the African Union's commitment not only to strengthen professionalism and ethics in the Public Service in Africa, but also to promote the values and principles of democracy, good governance, human rights and the right to development.
The African Charter further requires African states to protect the fundamental values and principles governing service, and to promote an administrative culture based on respect for the rights of citizens.
In the light of this, the African Union, AU, at its 6th ordinary session of the Assembly, held in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia on 31 January 2011, adopted the African Charter on Values and Principles of Public Service and Administration. The charter has been signed by 26 African countries and has thus far been ratified by six countries.
As Parliament we are delighted to learn that our government will be counted amongst those countries that will sign the African Charter to represent our country, thus putting us on the map alongside the countries that highly regard good governance as a major principle. In dealing with these values and principles, each region of Africa has a role to play to inculcate these sacrosanct, transformative and destiny- changing values and principles. The Ministry for Public Service and Administration ran with the concept and engaged the Public Service labour movement, wherein the charter was widely, cordially and warmly accepted and adopted by organised labour. We compliment the Ministry for this initiative.
In the same vein, each state at individual country level has to adopt and ratify these values and principles. We therefore put it upon government to adopt and ratify these values and principles on behalf of itself, Parliament and the people of South Africa. As the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, we humbly submit the Report on the African Charter on Values and Principles of Public Administration to this House for adoption. Thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Hon Deputy Speaker, I move:
That the Charter be approved.
Motion agreen to.
African Charter on Values and Principles of Public Administration approved.