Report

MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION

The Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (“the Association”) was represented by the Honourable Mauril Bélanger, P.C., M.P., Co-Chair of the Association; the Honourable Raynell Andreychuk, Senator, Co-Chair of the Association; the Honourable Jim Munson, Senator, Vice-Chair of the Association; David Christopherson, M.P., Vice-Chair of the Association; Robert Oliphant, M.P., Vice-Chair of the Association; and Dave Van Kesteren, M.P. The delegation was accompanied by David Andrés Novoa, Association Secretary, and Brian Hermon, Analyst of the Association.

MISSION OBJECTIVES

The Association conducted bilateral visits to Windhoek, Namibia and Cape Town, South Africa, from 28 February to 5 March 2016. This was the Association’s second bilateral visit to both Namibia and South Africa, following initial bilateral visits to these countries in 2009 and 2006 respectively.

In Namibia, the Association had the following objectives:

• to follow-up on its 2009 bilateral visit and to reinforce parliamentary relations between Canada and Namibia;
• to exchange views with parliamentarians from both the government and opposition on how they fulfil their roles as representatives, and in the business of Parliament;
• to strengthen relations with the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum;
• to acquaint parliamentarians – both Canadian and African – with Canada’s involvement in the region, including its development support and business activity; and,
• to discuss the issue of corporate social responsibility with business groups involved in the extractive industry sector.

In South Africa, the Association’s objectives were the following:

• to build upon previous visits by the Association to South Africa and recent visits by South African parliamentarians to Ottawa;
• to gain a parliamentary perspective on the current political situation in South Africa and to discuss how the global economic outlook is affecting the country;
• to engage parliamentarians on issues of democracy, governance, the rule of law, human rights, regional security; and,
• to learn about how South Africa is addressing development challenges, including public health issues, such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

To reach its objectives, the Association met with parliamentarians from the governing and opposition parties, government officials, international and regional organizations, including the World Food Programme and the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum, civil society organizations, the media and the private sector. In addition, the Association visited a local school in Namibia, as well as a vocational training centre and a health clinic in South Africa.

THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA[1]

The Republic of Namibia is located in southwest Africa. It is bordered by Angola to the north, Zambia to the northeast, Botswana to the east, and South Africa to the southeast. Namibia is sparsely populated with many of its inhabitants living in rural areas, often beyond the reach of road infrastructure and basic services. The population of Namibia is approximately 2.2 million. The capital, Windhoek, is the largest city in the country, with about 370,000 inhabitants. Despite its small population, Namibia is made up of a diverse number of ethnic, religious and linguistic groups.

A. System of Government

Namibia is a multi-party unitary republic. Executive power is vested in the president and the cabinet. The president, who is both head of state and head of government, as well as being commander of the military forces, is elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term.

Legislative power is vested in the National Assembly. In August 2014, the National Assembly adopted a constitutional amendment which increased the number of seats in that body; it is now composed of 104 members, 96 of whom are directly elected and are voting members, and eight of whom are appointed by the president and are non-voting members. The mandate of the National Assembly is five years and elections are held under a proportional representation system. The National Council – the upper house of Parliament – consists of three members from each of the 14 regions, elected by regional councils from among their members for five-year terms. The National Council considers bills passed by the National Assembly and forwards bills that affect regional concerns to that body.

Namibia’s most recent presidential and legislative elections took place in November 2014. In the presidential election, Hage Geingob of the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO) obtained approximately 86% of the votes cast. In the legislative elections, SWAPO received 80% of the votes, gaining control of 77 of the 96 elective seats in the National Assembly. Namibia’s elections were described as peaceful and transparent by regional observers, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union. Namibia will hold its next presidential and legislative elections in 2019.

B. Economic and Social Development

The World Bank classifies Namibia as an upper-middle-income economy. The country’s total gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated to be US$23.48 billion on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis in 2014, representing the 139th largest economy in the world. At approximately US$10,000 on a PPP basis, Namibia’s GDP per capita is significantly above average for sub-Saharan Africa. However, this wealth is distributed very unevenly. Namibia’s Gini coefficient – a measurement of inequality – is one of the world’s highest. Moreover, despite solid economic growth over the past decade, the unemployment rate – estimated at 28% in 2014 – remains high.

Namibia’s progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals by the target date of 2015 was mixed. Namibia made significant progress in reducing extreme poverty; the proportion of the population living on US$1.25 per day on a purchasing power parity basis fell from 49% in 1993 to 23.5% in 2009. Namibia has also made significant progress in achieving universal primary school enrolment and increasing rates of literacy.

At the same time, hunger continues to be a major challenge in Namibia, owing to repeated droughts and structural poverty compounded by a high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. According to UNAIDS, at approximately 16%, Namibia had the world’s 6th highest HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate (adults aged 15–49) in 2014. Overall, Namibia ranked 126th out of 188 United Nations (UN) – recognized territories on the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) 2015 Human Development Index.

C. Governance and Human Rights

Namibia is one of the top performers on the 2015 Ibrahim Index of African Governance – an annual report that assesses the governance of every African country – ranking 5th out of 54 African countries. Only Mauritius, Cape Verde, Botswana and South Africa rank higher on the index than Namibia. Free speech, freedom of the press, and freedoms of assembly and association are guaranteed by the country’s constitution and are generally respected in Namibia. One area of concern identified by international organizations relates to the rights and safety of women in Namibia. There have been reports that some women face discrimination with respect to customary law and other traditional practices. The issues of violence and discrimination against women and children, including rape, child abuse and child labour, were also identified as areas of concern in the United States Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014.

D. Canada-Namibia Relations

Canada's relations with Namibia date back to the country’s efforts to achieve independence. Canada participated in the 1977–1982 negotiations on the United Nations Settlement Plan and actively supported Namibian independence in 1989–1990, providing military peacekeepers, police monitors, election supervisors and technical experts to the country. Today, Canada and Namibia cooperate on multilateral issues, including the Kimberley Process to control the trade in conflict diamonds and on initiatives to control high seas overfishing.

Canada does not maintain a bilateral development assistance program with Namibia. However, Namibia is eligible for funding through various Global Affairs Canada development assistance delivery channels. Local organizations can also apply for support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives pool of funding. In 2014–2015, Canada provided $2.34 million in development assistance to Namibia, mainly through multilateral channels.

Total two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Namibia was $135.6 million in 2015, making it Canada’s 96th largest merchandise trading partner. Despite a modest trading relationship, the potential for stronger economic relations between Canada and Namibia exists. Namibia presents investment opportunities for Canadian companies, particularly in the natural resources sector. Canada negotiated a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with Namibia in 2010 and ratified the DTA in 2013. Namibia, however, has not yet ratified the agreement.

MEETINGS IN NAMIBIA

1. Briefing by Bradley Bélanger, Political Counsellor, High Commission of Canada (Pretoria) and Sheryl McLaughlin, Second Secretary, High Commission of Canada (Pretoria)

A briefing on the current political and economic situation in Namibia was offered by Bradley Bélanger, Political Counsellor, High Commission of Canada (Pretoria) and Sheryl McLaughlin, Second Secretary, High Commission of Canada (Pretoria).

Mr. Bélanger updated the delegation on the political situation in Namibia, noting that SWAPO obtained a large majority in the 2014 parliamentary elections and controls both the National Assembly and the National Council. President Geingob of SWAPO also obtained an overwhelming majority in the 2014 presidential elections, garnering approximately 86% of the votes cast. By contrast, the Association heard that Namibian opposition parties continue to remain weak and fractured.

Namibia’s economic outlook was reported to be relatively strong compared to that of its neighbour, South Africa. However, Mr. Bélanger said that Namibia’s economic growth was being hindered by the drought affecting the region and by the weakening economic situation in South Africa, the country’s largest export market.

Mr. Bélanger and Ms. McLaughlin touched on issues relating to political freedoms and human rights in Namibia. For example, the Association heard that press freedom was well respected in Namibia. However, some concerns regarding human rights issues in Namibia were noted, in particular as pertains to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Gender-based violence (GBV) was also reported as being a concern in Namibia. In addition, some discussion was had on reports that Namibia is considering withdrawing from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Finally, Mr. Bélanger and Ms. McLaughlin spoke about Canada-Namibia relations. They noted that Canada has business interests in Namibia, in particular in the extractive industry sector. They also discussed Canada’s support for development projects in Namibia through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.

2. Meeting with the Honourable Dr. Peter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, and other Namibian Parliamentarians

The Association’s first meeting at the Namibian Parliament was with the Honourable Dr. Peter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly, who was joined by members of the National Assembly from different political parties. Speaker Katjavivi welcomed the Association to Namibia and spoke about the contribution that Canada made to Namibia before and after independence, including the role that Canada played as a member of the Contact Group in the negotiations over the future of Namibia within the context of United Nations Security Council Resolution 435. He noted Canada and Namibia’s common membership in the Commonwealth and the United Nations and spoke about the shared ideals and values of both countries.

Members of the Canadian delegation asked the Speaker and the other Namibian parliamentarians present to elaborate on some of the issues and challenges faced by the Namibian parliament. Speaker Katjavivi discussed the issue of parliamentary oversight, noting that the Parliament of Namibia has an important role to play in providing oversight on the country’s budget, which had recently been tabled. He commented that Namibia is currently in the process of developing a joint budget committee between the National Council and the National Assembly to provide further accountability to the budget process.

Speaker Katjavivi discussed some of the current challenges faced by Namibia’s parliament, including that of resources. He noted that Namibia’s parliament had recently expanded its number of members, but had not had a corresponding increase to the number of staff. He said that the Parliament of Namibia is seeking greater resources to hire researchers. Speaker Katjavivi also commented that he would like to explore the issue of Namibia’s status as an upper middle income country. He said that Namibia’s classification in this income group was depriving it of much needed development assistance.

Speaker Katjavivi expressed his hope that the Association’s visit to Namibia would further strengthen the close ties between the two parliaments and countries. In particular, the Speaker expressed an interest in enhancing parliamentary cooperation with Canada in specific areas, including on the issue of youth empowerment.

3. Meeting with the Honourable Margaret Mesah-Williams, Chairperson of the National Council of Namibia

The Association had a wide-ranging discussion with the Honourable Margaret Mesah-Williams, Chairperson of the National Council of Namibia. Over the course of the meeting, the Association engaged with Chairperson Mesah-Williams on a variety of topics including governance, gender, and social and political challenges.

Chairperson Mesah-Williams spoke about the role that the National Council plays within the Namibian parliament. She noted that the body is made up of 42 members, three from each of Namibia’s 13 regions. Of the 42 members, she noted that 40 are from the governing SWAPO party. Chairperson Mesah-Williams referred to the National Council as the “country’s conscience” and said that – despite being controlled by the governing party – the chamber has in the past rejected or made amendments to bills referred to it by the National Assembly.

Chairperson Mesah-Williams, who also serves as the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians, discussed the issue of women in parliament and gender-based violence. She said that Namibia was making progress on the issue of gender equality in the public sector, commenting that over 40% of the seats in the National Assembly were held by women, and that the positions of prime minister and chairperson of the National Assembly were held by women for the first time. She also spoke about the issue of gender-based violence, noting that it remains a serious problem in the country. According to Chairperson Mesah-Williams, Namibia has undertaken programs to address GBV, including one that focuses on working with offenders in prison.

Other topics that were discussed during the meeting included public health, housing and the environment. Chairperson Mesah-Williams noted that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS continues to be very high in Namibia and that health care costs represent a large portion of Namibia’s budget. She also spoke about affordable housing and land reform in the context of the government’s efforts to equitably redistribute land. In terms of the environment, Chairperson Mesah-Williams talked about the serious drought that was affecting the country. She noted that Namibia faces extreme temperatures and that the drought was having serious effects on food prices and food security, especially in the rural parts of the country.

4. Working lunch with Jemima Beukes, journalist with the Namibian Sun newspaper

The Association held a working lunch with Jemima Beukes, a journalist with the Namibian Sun, a daily newspaper based in Windhoek. Ms. Beukes provided the Association with information on some of the challenges facing Namibia, including those of gender-based violence, inequality and the high cost of housing. She also gave an independent media perspective on the state of press freedom in Namibia and the relationship between the media and the government. Ms. Beukes commented that the ability of journalists to gain access to the President and senior ministers in the Namibian government was good. The Association also engaged with Ms. Beukes in a discussion about LGBT rights and the general state of politics in Namibia.

5. Meeting with the Honourable Jennifer Van den Heever, Chief Whip, DTA of Namibia, and other DTA parliamentarians

The Association met with parliamentarians from the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) of Namibia, the official opposition party in the Namibian Parliament. The DTA of Namibia has five seats in the National Assembly and one seat in the National Council.

The members of the DTA spoke about the challenges associated with being an opposition party in Namibia. They commented that structural factors inhibit the party’s growth, including a lack of public funding for political parties in Namibia. The DTA delegation also spoke about the role of the Office of the Auditor General, noting that it maintains its independence from government. In addition, the delegation engaged in a discussion with the Association regarding the role of their parliaments’ respective public accounts committees. Finally, the Association posed questions to the DTA delegation regarding governance and efforts to address inequality and gender-based violence in Namibia.

6. Roundtable discussion with Mark Dawe, Managing Director, B2Gold Namibia; Kombadayedu Kapwanga, President, Chamber of Mines of Namibia; Jakes Katwamba, Namibia Investment Centre; Mathias Busse, Namibia Investment Centre; and Francois Uys, the Honorary Consul for Canada in Namibia

The Association participated in a roundtable discussion with members of Namibia’s business community on the subject of natural resources and the economic situation in Namibia more broadly. The Association heard that the Namibian economy was increasingly being dominated by the extractive industry and service sectors. Foreign direct investment was reported to be an important driver of economic growth in Namibia, particularly in the mining sector. Conversely, the Association heard that the manufacturing sector was lagging. Mathias Busse of the Namibian Investment Centre noted that the unemployment rate in Namibia remained high and that inequality continued to be a problem. He also commented that the country required further investment in infrastructure in order to facilitate trade.

Much of the roundtable was focused on a discussion of a draft bill being proposed by the Namibian government called the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework (NEEEF). As explained in the framework itself, NEEEF consists of policies designed to restructure the private business sector to achieve equity in the economic ownership of productive assets. NEEEF seeks to promote transformation in business through six empowerment pillars, of which three are mandatory and all six are subject to scoring. For example, under the “ownership pillar,” new enterprises “must accommodate a 25% shareholding to previously disadvantaged persons before they are allowed to commence business.” Consultation on the NEEEF was open to the public until the end of April 2016.

Mark Dawe, Managing Director, B2Gold Namibia, expressed serious concerns about the proposed framework. He indicated that the bill would have a negative effect on the Namibian economy and said that the Government of Namibia had not sufficiently consulted the private sector on the proposed legislation. Mr. Dawe also discussed the corporate social responsibility policies of B2Gold Namibia, including its activities pertaining to health and the environment.

Francois Uys, Honorary Consul for Canada in Namibia, also provided some further context on the NEEEF. In addition, he discussed some of the environmental challenges facing Namibia, including the effects that the drought was having on food security and water resources.

7. Meeting with the Namibian Institute for Democracy

The Association met for an informal meeting with the Namibian Institute for Democracy (NID), a civil society organization that undertakes a range of civic education, civil society development, research, and anti-corruption programs in Namibia.

During the meeting, the Association had the opportunity to pose questions about governance and the electoral system in Namibia. NID representatives said that the 2014 Namibian presidential and parliamentary elections were free and fair from its perspective. They indicated that voter turnout was high for the 2014 elections but has been historically much lower for regional council elections. NID officials noted that the organization is working to address voter apathy among youths and commented that civic studies should be a part of public education in Namibia. They also spoke about NID’s programming in the areas of civic education, civil society support, elections support and anti-corruption.

8. Meeting with the Institute for Public Policy Research

The Association met with Graham Hopwood, Executive Director, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), and other IPPR researchers for a wide-ranging discussion on the political and economic situation in Namibia, and on social challenges facing the country. The IPPR is a not-for-profit organization that provides independent research and analysis on social, political and economic issues that affect development in Namibia. The Association previously met with the IPPR during its bilateral visit to Namibia in 2009.

Mr. Hopwood began the meeting by providing an overview of the political situation in Namibia. He highlighted the findings from a recent study by Afrobarometer – a pan-African research network – which found that Namibia is the most tolerant country in Africa. Notwithstanding that ranking, he also noted that Namibia continues to face numerous development challenges, including those of inequality and poverty.

Mr. Hopwood and members of the IPPR research team engaged in a dialogue with the Association on a number of issues facing Namibia. A range of views were presented on the subject of the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework. One perspective was that the bill, while well intentioned, was being rushed and could hurt the Namibian economy. Another perspective was that the bill had merit, given the persistently high rate of inequality in the country. In addition, the Association heard that young people are becoming increasingly frustrated with the cost of living in Namibia and the difficulty in obtaining a well-paying job. It was reported that youth unemployment in Namibia stood at approximately 43%. The Association also asked the IPPR team to comment on issues such as gender-based violence. IPPR staff noted that GBV remains a significant problem in Namibia and that government agencies tasked with addressing the issues were under-resourced.

9. Meeting with the Honourable Maureen Magreth Hinda, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and other government officials

The Association met with the Honourable Maureen Magreth Hinda, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and other officials in the Namibian government, at the offices of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation.

Ms. Hinda began the meeting by delivering remarks in which she spoke about the “longstanding bonds of friendship” between Canada and Namibia. Ms. Hinda said that Canada played an important role during the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 435 which eventually led to the attainment of Namibia’s independence in March 1990. She noted that Canada contributed to the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) through the participation of a contingent of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and that Canada assisted the Namibian police after independence in establishing its rules and forensics units. Cooperation between the RCMP and the Namibian police has continued since then. Ms. Hinda indicated that a delegation from the Namibian Police Force undertook a visit to Canada in December 2015, during which a decision was taken that some members of the Namibian Police Force would receive training at the headquarters of the RCMP in Toronto, and that a member of the RCMP will be seconded to the Namibian Police in Windhoek to provide training and enhance capacity-building.

Ms. Hinda expressed a desire to deepen bilateral and parliamentary relations between Canada and Namibia. In particular, she spoke about the importance of collaborating on issues of mutual concern such as climate change, desertification, as well as transnational issues such as combating terrorism, wildlife trafficking, and human trafficking. She also discussed the growing economic partnership between Canada and Namibia, which includes investment in the country’s mining sector. She made reference to an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation that the two countries signed in 2010. While noting that Canada has ratified the agreement, Ms. Hinda commented that Namibia has “a moratorium on these agreements and will finalise a national policy on double taxation agreements in due course.”

Members of the Association thanked the Deputy Minister for her comments and expressed a desire to strengthen relations with Namibia. They also took the opportunity to hear her perspectives on some of the recurring issues and themes that had come up over the course of the Association’s visit in Namibia as of that date. These included gender-based violence, income inequality, the drought affecting Southern Africa, the cost of living in Namibia and the NEEEF. Ms. Hinda responded to the Association’s questions by noting that the Namibian government is working to address issues of GBV, inequality, housing and the lack of employment opportunities for young people. She also referred to climate change as a big concern for Namibia. With respect to the NEEEF, Ms. Hinda said that the government was consulting widely on the bill and had an obligation to address the issue of inequality in the country.

10. Visit to a development project with the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation Trust

The Association made a site visit to a junior secondary school to witness a program facilitated by the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO) Trust. OYO is a Namibian civil society organization that aims to create social awareness among youth regarding issues such as sexual health, alcohol and drug abuse, as well as stigma and discrimination. Each year OYO focuses its activities on one main theme. In 2015, gender-based violence was selected as the theme; teenage pregnancy is the theme for 2016. Once a theme has been selected, together with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, OYO selects schools to benefit from the program. In 2016, OYO selected 90 schools across five regions of Namibia to take part in a series of activities to raise awareness about teenage pregnancy. OYO received funding through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives in 2015 for its prevention of gender-based violence programs.

The Association witnessed a session where a group of junior secondary school students were taught about the male and female sexual cycle. The students were taught using a magazine – OYO Young, Latest and Cool – that is written in part by young people.

After the session, the Association engaged in a roundtable discussion with Philippe Talavera, OYO Executive Director, and other members of the OYO staff. Mr. Talavera spoke about OYO’s projects with unemployed young people and young offenders. He also discussed the public health challenges in Namibia, such as the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, and issues relating to teenage pregnancy. Members of the Association posed questions to Mr. Talavera about OYO’s magazine and its sex education and social awareness programs. The Association and OYO staff members also had the opportunity to engage in a discussion about how the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS is changing within Namibian society and the wider Southern Africa region.

11. Meeting with Jennifer Bitonde, Namibia Country Director, World Food Program and Donovan Weimers, Namibia Communications Officer, World Food Program

The Committee met with Jennifer Bitonde, World Food Program (WPF) Namibia Country Director, and Donovan Weimers, WPF Namibia Communications Officer, to discuss the issue of food security. The Association was told that it had arrived in Namibia “at a very difficult time for the country.” Ms. Bitonde explained that Namibia was facing its third severe drought since 2013 and its worst in 35 years. Namibia is the most arid country south of the Sahara desert and is particularly prone to drought. The Association heard that the drought was negatively affecting crops and livestock, resulting in higher food prices and greater rates of malnutrition across the country.

Members of the Association posed questions regarding food security and the Government of Namibia’s response to the drought. The Association heard that food and nutrition security were particularly problematic for those living in rural parts of the country. In 2015, an estimated 578,000 people in rural areas of Namibia were in need of food and livelihood assistance. WPF officials said that, while it had not been asked to provide direct assistance with respect to food delivery in Namibia, WFP was working with the Namibian government to develop appropriate responses to food insecurity. The Association was also told that the Government of Namibia was planning to launch a national food bank in response to the crisis.

12. Meeting with the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum

The Association met with the following officials from the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF): Sheuneni Kurasha, Programme Manager: Democracy and Governance and Parliamentary Business Focal Person; Barney Karuuombe, Manager: Parliamentary Capacity Development; Nomkhitha Gysman, Gender Programme Manager; Agnes Lilungwe, Assistant to the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum Secretary-General.

The SADC PF is a regional inter-parliamentary body that was established in 1997 as an autonomous institution of SADC. It is composed of 14 parliaments representing over 3,500 parliamentarians in the SADC region. The main aim of the SADC PF is “to provide a platform for parliaments and parliamentarians to promote and improve regional integration in the SADC region, through parliamentary involvement.”

Officials from the SADC PF provided an overview of the organization’s objectives and upcoming activities in the region. The Association heard that SADC PF was evolving from a deliberative body to a legislative organ; Sheuneni Kurasha mentioned that the SADC PF was working on a model law relating to child marriage. The SADC PF will hold its next plenary assembly in Swaziland in June 2016 where it will be looking at the role of parliament with respect to human rights. 2016 was declared the African Year of Human Rights by the African Union.

A general discussion on the subject of Africa’s regional organizations and economic communities also took place. The Association heard that the SADC PF provides input into other parliamentary processes in Africa, including the Pan-African Parliament. It also heard about the role that the SADC PF and other regional organizations play in election monitoring. Finally, officials from the SADC PF expressed an interest in exploring areas where the Association and the SADC PF could partner together more deeply in the future.

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA[2]

The Republic of South Africa is located at the southern tip of Africa, and is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to the north and Swaziland to the east. The country of Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa. The population of South Africa is approximately 55 million. The country has 11 official languages: IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi, English, Setswana, Sesotho, Xitsonga, siSwati, Tshivenda, and isiNdebele. The executive capital is Pretoria, the legislative capital is Cape Town, and the judicial capital is Bloemfontein. The country is divided into nine provinces: Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape.

A. System of Government

South Africa is a parliamentary representative democratic republic. It has a bicameral legislature consisting of a National Assembly made up of 400 members that are directly elected for a five-year term and a 90 member National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chosen by the parties in the provincial legislatures for a five-year term. The president, who is elected by the National Assembly from among its members, exercises executive power. The president is responsible for assigning Cabinet portfolios, signing bills into law, and serving as commander in chief of the military. National elections in South Africa are based on a party list system of proportional representation.

The two houses of Parliament are responsible for drafting laws, with the National Assembly having specific control over bills relating to monetary matters. The National Council of Provinces must approve legislation that involves shared national and provincial competencies. When a bill to amend the constitution directly affects the provinces, at least six of the nine provinces represented in the NCOP must agree to it.

The most recent national elections took place in May 2014. The African National Congress (ANC), led by Jacob Zuma, was re elected with 62.1% of the vote and 249 of 400 seats in Parliament. The Democratic Alliance came in second at 22.2% of the vote and formed the official opposition. A newly-formed party called the Economic Freedom Fighters finished third with 6.4% of the vote. The ANC lost only one of the nine provinces, Western Cape, which was won by the Democratic Alliance. South Africa will hold its next general election in 2019.

B. Economic and Social Development

South Africa is categorized by the World Bank as an upper middle income country. South Africa has the second largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, behind Nigeria, which has three times the population. South Africa’s economy has slowed in recent years; in 2015, real GDP (taking inflation into account) is estimated to have grown by approximately 1.3%. GDP growth in South Africa is forecasted to remain low, at approximately 1%, in 2016, as a result of a number of factors, including domestic power shortages, a regional drought and an economic slowdown in China.

Although South Africa’s economy is strong compared with other African economies, many South Africans live in poverty and face a high rate of unemployment. According to the World Bank, 17% of South Africans were living on less than $1.90 a day in 2011 in purchasing power parity terms, and 25.1% of the workforce was unemployed in 2014. South Africa’s Gini coefficient is among the highest in the world. The country’s primary public health issue remains HIV/AIDS. It ranks fourth worldwide in HIV/AIDS prevalence among people aged 15 to 49, with approximately 18.9% of people in this age group infected.

C. Governance and Human Rights

South Africa performs well on regional indices of governance, including on the 2015 Ibrahim Index of African Governance where it ranks 4th out of 54 African countries, one spot ahead of Namibia. South Africa has a robust press and freedom of expression is respected. The South African constitution guarantees freedoms of association and assembly and political participation is strong. The country also has a vibrant civil society, where non-governmental organizations can operate freely.

Principle human rights challenges in South Africa include police use of lethal and excessive force and an overall high level of violent crime. Other human rights concerns include instances of xenophobic violence directed against immigrants from other African countries, including Zimbabwe and Somalia. Despite a strong legal framework that criminalizes domestic and sexual violence, both remain challenges in South Africa. The United States Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014 identified discrimination against persons with disabilities and of the LGBT community as human rights concerns in South Africa. A Constitutional Court ruling on 31 March 2016 that President Zuma had used state resources to fund improvements to his private home has recently led to some political instability and concerns about governance in South Africa.

D. Canada-South Africa Relations

South Africa is one of Canada’s most important political and commercial partners in Africa. Diplomatic relations between the two countries date back to 1939 and draw on the legacy that Canada played toward the end of apartheid and in post-apartheid reconstruction and reconciliation. Nelson Mandela visited Canada three times in recognition of Canada’s support; he was made an honorary Canadian citizen in 2001. Diplomatic relations between Canada and South Africa are reinforced by annual bilateral consultations chaired at the deputy minister level.

South Africa is Canada’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. Total two-way bilateral merchandise trade in 2015 was $1.5 billion. South Africa was identified as the only country in sub-Saharan Africa – and one of twenty worldwide – that is an emerging market with broad Canadian interests in Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan. Canadian foreign direct investment (FDI) in South Africa is also significant, totalling $3.7 billion in 2014, making it the 24th largest destination for Canadian FDI among the countries for which data is available. South Africa is also a partner for Canada in promoting peace and preventing conflict in Africa. Canada has supported capacity-building for South African police peacekeepers, and assisted with the establishment of the South African Peace Mission Training Centre in Pretoria. Canada also provides development assistance to South Africa, mainly focused on the thematic priority of good governance.

MEETINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA

1. Meeting with Mmatlala Grace Boroto, House Chairperson for International Relations, National Assembly of South Africa

The Association’s first meeting in South Africa was with the Honourable Mmatlala Grace Boroto, House Chairperson for International Relations, National Assembly of South Africa. Ms. Boroto spoke about the relationship between the two Houses of Parliament in South Africa – the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces – and the role of the presiding officers. She commented on the busy agenda of Parliament, which had been seized by debate on the national budget following the State of the Nation address by President Zuma. Ms. Boroto also spoke about the political and economic situation in South Africa and efforts to promote gender equality in the country. Both Ms. Boroto and members of the Association expressed a desire to see deeper bilateral relations between Canada and South Africa at the federal and provincial levels.

Following its meeting with Ms. Boroto, the Association had the opportunity to sit in the public gallery of the National Assembly and watch as the Honourable Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President of South Africa, responded to oral questions from members.

2. Briefing by Bradley Bélanger, Political Counsellor, High Commission of Canada (Pretoria) and Sheryl McLaughlin, Second Secretary, High Commission of Canada (Pretoria)

Mr. Bélanger and Ms. McLaughlin provided the Association with a briefing on the political and economic situation in South Africa. The Association heard that since its last bilateral visit to South Africa in 2006, support for the governing African National Congress (ANC) had declined. While it still maintains a majority of the seats in Parliament, the ANC has seen some of its support erode in favour of parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters. The official opposition Democratic Alliance has also witnessed gains in the recent elections. Mr. Bélanger noted that President Zuma had faced criticism from opposition parties following his dismissal of the country’s finance minister in December 2015, a decision that resulted in a decline of the Rand and in the country’s financial markets. The Association heard that the upcoming municipal elections will provide an indication of the public’s support for the ANC.

There was discussion about the state of South Africa’s economy, which witnessed GDP growth of under 2% in 2014 and 2015. The Association heard that South Africa’s economy had been negatively affected by the downturn in commodity prices, the weakening of Chinese demand, and the drought affecting Southern Africa, among other factors. Despite the downturn, Mr. Bélanger noted that South Africa’s economy still had significant potential and was one of the most diversified in Africa.

In addition to the political and economic situation, the Association also heard about some of the social challenges facing South Arica. For example, it was noted that inequality remains high and that unemployment – especially among young people – is a concern. Ms. McLaughlin also spoke about recent incidences of violence directed against foreign nationals in South Africa, and about the growing sense of frustration among the “born-free” generation – that is, people born after South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.

3. Meeting with Alex Benkenstein, Ross Harvey, and Romy Chevallier of the South African Institute of International Affairs

The Association met with officials from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), a research institute focused on social development, foreign policy, governance, the environment, and economic policy. The discussion focused largely on the subjects of natural resources, governance and the environment.

Alex Benkenstein, Program Manager, Governance of Africa's Resources Program, spoke about the importance of ensuring that natural resources are exploited in a sustainable manner and for the benefit of the African continent. He noted that mining plays a key role in the South African economy and that the recent commodity downturn has hurt that industry. In commenting on the broad economic impact of mining on the country’s economy, Mr. Benkenstein highlighted statistics from the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, which estimates that there are up to nine indirect dependents for each person employed in the country’s mining sector.

In response to questions from the Association, SAIIA officials spoke about the issues of climate change and energy. The Association heard that there is a debate in South Africa about how to support the country’s energy needs, and on the subjects of nuclear power and coal-fired power plants. There was also a discussion about “load shedding.” Load shedding – which is a scheduled power shutdown, where electricity is stopped for periods of time over different parts of the country – occurs periodically in South Africa as a measure to ease the strain on the country’s power system. In addition, SAIIA officials commented that South Africa continues to be negatively affected by drought conditions triggered by the El Nino weather pattern.

4. Meeting with parliamentarians from the United Democratic Movement

The Association met with the following parliamentarians from the United Democratic Movement (UDM): Bantu Holomisa, President and M.P.; Lennox Gaehler, M.P.; Cynthia NoCollege Majeke, M.P.; Mncedisi Filtane, National Deputy Chairperson and M.P.; and Nqabayomzi Lawrence Saziso Kwankwa, Chief Whip and M.P.. The UDM is an opposition political party in South Africa; it holds four seats in the National Assembly and one seat in the National Council of Provinces.

Mr. Holomisa provided the Association with an overview of the main positions and objectives of the UDM. He said that the UDM is focused on promoting good governance, fighting corruption and addressing inequality. He also talked about the UDM’s goal of strengthening the power of opposition parties and bringing about a political realignment to South African politics. Mr. Holomisa expressed concern about the one-party dominance of the ANC and with what the UDM regards as the conflation of the ANC party with the state. He said that South African opposition parties should rally around key policy positions; according to Mr. Holomisa, chief among these should be promoting better governance and fighting corruption.

5. Working lunch with Anthony Butler, Professor of Political Science, University of Cape Town

The Association engaged in a discussion about public policy and the political situation in South Africa with Anthony Butler, Professor of Political Science at the University of Cape Town. Professor Butler told the Association that South Africa was undergoing a period of political instability. He said the candidate nomination process for the upcoming elections was going badly and that the “factionalism” that typically affects the ANC after an elective conference was now occurring on a perpetual basis. Professor Butler also expressed concern about corruption and commented that there is a need to address the issue of money in politics in South Africa.

Members of the Association took the opportunity to pose questions to Professor Butler on a wide range of topics. For example, Professor Butler responded to questions about the general economic situation in South Africa. He noted that the South African economy remained weak and that there is a chance that South Africa could see a downgrade to its credit rating. Professor Butler also commented on recent student-led protests in South Africa over the cost of university tuition.

6. Meeting with the Centre for Conflict Resolution

The Association met with staff from the Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR), including its Executive Director, Dr. Adekeye Adebajo. The Centre for Conflict Resolution is an organization that focuses on strengthening the capacity of African institutions and actors to manage conflicts and build peace. The Association previously met with CCR during its last bilateral visit to South Africa in 2006. Dr. Adebajo provided an overview of the CCR’s programming in the areas of capacity-building and policy development and research.

Dr. Adebajo and the CCR officials also made brief presentations on the subjects of regional peace-building and conflict resolution and responded to the Association’s questions about South Africa’s foreign policy. It was noted that the South African government regards its membership in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) group of countries as an important component of its economic and foreign policies and its sense of global prestige.

A discussion ensued about regional security challenges in Africa, including the threat posed by terrorist groups like Boko Haram and Al-Shabab. Migration and urbanization were also highlighted as two trends affecting the African continent that Canada should be aware of in the coming years. CCR officials also discussed human rights issues and domestic political challenges in South Africa. In that regard, the Association heard that gender-based violence and income inequality continue to be challenges for South Africa.

7. Meeting with Parliamentarians from the Democratic Alliance Party

The Association met with the following parliamentarians from the Democratic Alliance (DA): John Steenhuisen, M.P. and Chief Whip; Wilmot James, M.P. and Shadow Minister of Health; Gavin Davis, M.P. and Shadow Minister of Basic Education; and Richard Majola, M.P. and Deputy Chairperson of Caucus. The Democratic Alliance is the official opposition party in South Africa. It has 89 members in the National Assembly and 20 members in the National Council of Provinces. The Democratic Alliance is also the governing party at the provincial level in Western Cape.

Mr. Steenhuisen provided the Association with an overview of South Africa’s system of government and discussed the issue of electoral reform. He noted that South African elections, which are based on a party list system of proportional representation, have the benefit of allowing smaller parties to attain representation in Parliament. Conversely, he said that the system creates a disconnect between the electorate and the elected because members of the National Assembly are not elected to directly represent a constituency. He commented that there have been periodic discussions over the past 15 years about developing a mixed system that would allow minority voices to continue being heard, while at the same time better reinforcing the link between voters and elected representatives.

Mr. Steenhuisen said that the DA has grown in popular support in successive national elections. He noted that the party is developing policies around national health care, education and the economy. The Association had an opportunity to engage in a dialogue with the DA about these priorities and other issues such as land reform and land restitution. The Association and the DA members also had the occasion to share experiences regarding the process in their respective parliaments for putting forward a private member’s bill.

8. Meeting with the Parliamentary Monitoring Group

The Association participated in a discussion with the following staff members from the Parliamentary Monitoring Group (PMG): Gaile Fullard, Executive Director; Rashaad Alli, Deputy Director; Phumlani Dimon, Researcher; and Monique Doyle, Researcher. The Parliamentary Monitoring Group is a non-governmental organization that provides objective and timely information on all South African parliamentary committee proceedings. PMG also reports on the status of bills before the South African Parliament and provides information on public hearings.

The meeting with PMG provided the Association with an opportunity to better understand South Africa’s parliamentary system, including the work of its committees. The Association heard that there are over 50 committees of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. It was noted that all committees are chaired by a member of the governing ANC with the exception of the Committee on Public Accounts, which is chaired by an opposition member. Members of the Association informed PMG of recent efforts in the Canadian Parliament to reform committees, including with respect to the role of parliamentary secretaries. The Association also had the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with the PMG on the subject of resources for parliamentary committees, namely for independent researchers and administrative support.

9. Visit to the Zanokhanyo Training Centre

The Association conducted a site visit to the Zanokhanyo Training Centre in Khayelitsha, a large informal township located south-east of Cape Town. The Zanokhanyo Training Centre is a home management training facility that offers entry-level skills-based housekeeping and job placement assistance primarily to unemployed women. Seven week training programs are offered that include courses in home management, cleaning methods, life skills and English communication. The Zanokhanyo Training Centre is an initiative of Catholic Welfare and Development, a development NGO that focuses on economic empowerment, counselling and other social services.

During its visit, the Association had the opportunity to sit down with staff and trainees of the Zanokhanyo Training Centre as well as Catholic Welfare and Development. The Association was also given a tour of the facility and saw first-hand the kind of skills developed by trainees of the program.

10. Visit to the Mfuleni Community Health Centre and Day Hospital

The Association visited the Mfuleni Community Health Centre and Day Hospital, a clinic located in a township just east of Cape Town. At the clinic, the Association met with Meg Osler, Senior Researcher, Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, and others from the Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, as well as clinic and government staff.

Following a tour of the clinic, the Association met with Ms. Osler and her colleagues for a discussion about health challenges and health innovation in South Africa. Ms. Osler gave an overview of tier.net, a software application developed by the University of Cape Town to monitor patients in treatment for HIV and tuberculosis. The development of the software was supported with Canadian funding as part of a larger initiative involving the South African Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis. According to Ms. Osler, tier.net is now being used by over 3,500 health care facilities in South Africa and has become the standard for the country’s Ministry of Health.

Members of the Association posed questions on the tier.net software and about efforts being made on the local, provincial and national levels in South Africa to reduce the prevalence of HIV and tuberculosis. The Association heard that, while no drug shortages for antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) have been reported during the last three years in Western Cape, other provinces have reported shortages. It was also noted that South Africa plans on scaling up the number of people on ARV treatment over the next few years.

OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

Since the Association was established, it has visited over 30 African countries. Each visit provides an opportunity to gain new insights into the issues facing countries within Africa, its regional associations and the African Union. The visits also provide an occasion to strengthen Canada’s parliamentary relations with its African counterparts. The visit to Namibia and South Africa was based on those same objectives. The mission was part of the Association’s desire to follow up on its previous visits to these two countries and to update and renew its understanding of the opportunities and challenges that exist in southern Africa. The importance of renewing Canada’s relations with Namibian and South African parliamentarians where best practices around the core parliamentary duties of oversight, representation and legislation could be shared was a significant factor that motivated this mission. Below are the Association’s key observations and conclusions from its mission to Namibia and South Africa.

A. Republic of Namibia

Having last visited Namibia in 2009, the Association was interested in seeing how the political and economic situation in the country had changed over the past seven years. During that time, Namibia had held two sets of parliamentary and presidential elections, both of which were considered free and fair by international observers. The current political environment in Namibia continues to be dominated by the SWAPO party. In fact, since the Association’s last visit, SWAPO has increased its popular support to the point where it now controls more than 80% of the seats in the National Assembly. In its meetings with opposition parliamentarians, the Association heard that greater human and financial resources are needed for opposition parties to better hold the government to account.

While opposition parties continue to remain weak and fractured, the Association saw evidence of a vibrant civil society in Namibia. In its meetings with non-governmental organizations and members of the media, the Association heard that freedoms of speech and of the press are well respected in Namibia. One area of concern highlighted by civil society organizations was that there is no access to information law in Namibia, which makes it difficult to obtain timely access to public information.

The Association was impressed by the commitments that Namibian political parties have made to gender equality. The ruling SWAPO party committed in 2014 to filling half of its seats in Parliament with women; it also committed to a “zebra” system, whereby if a woman serves as a minister of a department then a man would serve as deputy minister and vice versa. In the 2014 elections, women won 42% of the seats in the National Assembly; Namibia ranks third in the SADC region for the percentage of women in parliament. The Association was very pleased to meet with the Honourable Margaret Mesah-Williams, who is the first woman to hold the position of Chairperson of the National Council of Namibia. It is also notable that for the first time in its history the Prime Minister of Namibia is a woman.

Notwithstanding the substantial progress that Namibia has made in advancing the representation of women in the political sphere, the Association heard that women remain all too often victims of violence. Indeed, the issue of gender-based violence was cited by parliamentarians and civil society organizations alike as one of the most pressing social challenges in Namibia. Despite increased awareness of the problem, the Association heard concerns from some individuals that a proper evidence-based discussion around GBV in Namibia was lacking. The Association encourages the Government of Namibia to continue taking measures toward combatting all forms of gender-based violence and suggests that the Government of Canada consider increasing its support and engagement on this issue.

In addition to GBV, other issues that were frequently cited as social development challenges in Namibia included income inequality and youth unemployment. Despite solid economic growth, Namibia continues to have a very high rate of income inequality and unemployment. The Association heard that many young people were becoming increasingly frustrated with the cost of housing and with the difficulty of gaining full-time, well-paying employment. Namibia has a large and emerging youth population and the Association believes that empowering youth will be critical to developing the next generation of political, business and civil society leaders in the country.

The subject of the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework came up in the context of the government’s efforts to address current inequality and the inequities of Namibia’s past. The Association heard a variety of opinions on the NEEEF, which included the perspective that the bill was being rushed without proper consultation from all stakeholders. The Association encourages the Government of Namibia to consult as widely as possible on the proposed NEEEF to ensure that all perspectives, including those of the business community, are heard during the consultation process.

The drought affecting Namibia and the wider southern Africa region was another theme of the visit. The Association heard that it was visiting Namibia at a very difficult time for the country, which was facing its third severe drought since 2013. The Association’s meeting with the World Food Programme in particular underscored the severity of the crisis. The Association asks the Government of Canada to continue monitoring the drought situation in Namibia and its effects on malnutrition, food security and hunger.

Finally, the Association noted the widespread goodwill that Canada enjoys in Namibia. A number of parliamentarians and government officials thanked Canada for the support that it provided to Namibia during the pre- and post-independence periods. In addition, Canada met with several civil society organizations that had benefitted from Canadian development assistance through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. It was evident from these meetings that Canada’s development assistance was appreciated and well spent. The Association also heard from some that they would like to partner more deeply with Canada in the future. For example, the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum expressed an interest in building stronger relations with the Association and with Canada. The Association believes that Canada should build on the goodwill that it enjoys in Namibia by continuing to explore areas where it can engage cooperatively in the country.

B. Republic of South Africa

The Association’s visit to South Africa was motivated by a desire to build upon previous exchanges between Canadian and South African parliamentarians and to update the Association on recent political and economic developments in the country. Since the Association last conducted a bilateral mission to South Africa in 2006, the country has witnessed a number of subtle but important political and economic shifts. Indeed, the Association arrived in South Africa at a time of political and economic change and uncertainty.

In December 2015, President Zuma unexpectedly replaced his Finance Minister with a backbencher. That Finance Minister was subsequently replaced two days after his appointment by Pravin Gordhan, who had previously held the post of Finance Minister from 2009–2014. The Association heard that the decision to replace the original Finance Minister, coupled with an already weak South African economy, had caused instability in the country’s financial markets. The Association also heard from a number of individuals that South Africa was at risk of losing its investment-grade credit rating.

In addition to economic unease, the Association’s meetings revealed a degree of uncertainty about the political environment in South Africa. While the ANC remains in control of South Africa’s Parliament, the Association heard that support for the ANC has weakened among the general population. The Association also learned that high unemployment and persistent income inequality, as well as frustration by students regarding the cost of tuition, had resulted in a series of recent protests. The Association appreciated the opportunity to engage with members of both the governing and opposition parties to discuss the political situation in South Africa and to share its perspective on the value and importance of multi-party democracy and respect for democratic institutions.

Despite the economic and political challenges that the country faces, South Africa remains one of the most vibrant democracies in Africa. The Association saw first-hand evidence of a robust and free press and an active civil society. Freedoms of expression and assembly are well respected in South Africa and political participation is strong. With 42% of the seats in its National Assembly held by women, South Africa is also one of the top ten global performers in terms of women’s representation in parliament.

South Africa has also made progress in addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis. However, the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS remains a huge public health challenge in South Africa, and the Association heard that much work needs to be done to strengthen public health systems and provide timely access to treatment. To this end, the Association highlights the important work being done by the Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research in developing software to monitor patients in treatment for HIV and tuberculosis.

The Association’s visit also provided it with an opportunity to learn about the role that South Africa plays in the region. In its meetings with groups such as the South African Institute of International Affairs and the Centre for Conflict Resolution, the Association was made aware of the role that South Africa plays with respect to natural resource governance and peace and security in the region. The Association also heard about the importance that South Africa places on South-to-South cooperation and on its membership in the BRICS group of countries. The Association also urged South Africa to remain a committed partner to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Finally, the Association wishes to underscore the value that it places on its relations with South African parliamentarians. These relations have developed over the years through two-way bilateral exchanges and by missions that the Association has conducted to the Pan-African Parliament. As one of its most important political and economic partners in Africa, the Association believes strongly that Canada should continue to grow and deepen its parliamentary ties with South Africa.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The members of the delegation wish to thank the staff of the Canadian High Commission in South Africa for their hard work and dedication in organizing the Association’s mission. In particular, they express their gratitude to Bradley Bélanger, Political Counsellor, High Commission of Canada to South Africa, and Sheryl McLaughlin, Second Secretary, High Commission of Canada to South Africa, who accompanied the delegation throughout its meetings and activities, and who made the mission a success.

The delegation also extends its appreciation to all those who met with the Association during its mission and for sharing their valuable insights and experiences.

Respectfully submitted,