South Africa Action Plan Review 2020-2022 – For Public Comment

In 2021, the Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM)The Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) is OGP’s accountability arm and the main means of tracking progress in participating countries. The IRM provides independent, evidence-based, and objective ... published the Action PlanAction plans are at the core of a government’s participation in OGP. They are the product of a co-creation process in which government and civil society jointly develop commitments to open governmen... Review for South Africa’s fourth action plan. The report provides a technical review of the action plan’s characteristics and the strengths and challenges the IRM identifies to inform a stronger implementation process.

In South Africa, the IRM’s findings are summarized below:

South Africa’s fourth action plan aims to reinvigorate the OGP process in the country after several years of inactivity. The plan’s three proposed themes are relevant and a good foundation on which to build. However, at present the commitments lack clarity and ambitionAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, OGP commitments should “stretch government practice beyond its current baseline with respect to key areas of open government.” Ambition captures the po.... To strengthen its in-country impact and global leadership, South Africa can take advantage of an opportunity to submit a revised action plan, with clear implementation roadmaps and stronger government engagement.

The report is available in English. The public comment period closed 20 July 2021.