Hon Chairperson, the Pan-African Parliament, PAP, is an organ of the African Union, AU. Its inception took place on 18 March 2004 and it is the first continental parliamentary assembly for Africa. The PAP's vision is "one Africa, one voice" and is informed by a vision to provide a common platform for African people to be more involved in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the continent.
The permanent seat of the PAP is in Midrand, Gallagher Estate, South Africa. Many of my colleagues in this House know little, if anything, about the PAP and its workings. Despite having been in existence since 2004, PAP is not popularly known by our citizens, not even around Midrand, which is the seat of the PAP. So, I wish to spend a little bit of time today - and I am sorry that the numbers in the House are so low - to tell you what we actually do at the PAP.
Five members of parliament from each of the member states of the AU are elected by their parliaments to represent them at the PAP. May I, on a lighter note, stress at this point that this is not a paid position. [Laughter.] I hope so. A lot of my colleagues seem to think that I go on some jol [party]; you know, a paid-for-by-Parliament jol [party]. The structures of the PAP consist of a bureau and 10 permanent committees. The current president of the PAP is the honourable Bethel Amadi from Nigeria. We have plenary and committee sittings twice a year for two weeks each time.
Now, according to Article 11 of the protocol, during the first term of its existence the PAP shall exercise advisory and consultative powers only. Although the PAP is now in its third term, it has not assumed its legislative powers. There are several reasons for this, but I wish to first reflect on the South African Parliament's position. South Africa is the host country. Therefore it should have been the first to establish an advisory or focal desk for the PAP in its Parliament and show linkages between its Parliament and the PAP. Since my appointment to the PAP in 2009, not a single report on PAP activities has been debated in this House. This is unfortunate, because we have discussed important issues, like Cop 17, human rights, land grabs and the harmonisation of medicines, just to mention a few. At my request, after some serious pressure, we debated the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Government.
The PAP has been camping in temporary quarters since its inception. Commencement of the building of the new parliament was put on hold, because the building was sinking as it was being built on shale. But I heard yesterday that a new site has been identified and we will probably get a new building next year. There is a great need to popularise and legitimise the PAP, and I hope that today is the starting point in our Parliament.
The overall budget for the PAP is very small. Much of it is derived from membership fees. I must tell you that I am personally delighted that South Africa has secured the position of the AU Chair. I first wish to congratulate Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on her appointment and wish to appeal to her to increase the budget of the PAP. [Laughter.] Secondly, I ask her to facilitate a process where the PAP motions and resolutions can be implemented. [Applause.] The PAP cannot go beyond making recommendations as it lacks the capacity to implement its decisions. It relies on the AU, which is the mother body, to implement them. If the AU gives recognition to the work of the PAP, it will make the transformation from the consultative to the legislative much easier.
The PAP has had some major achievements. It has ratified the African Charter on Democracy. On its mandate to promote the principles of human rights and democracy in Africa, fact-finding missions were sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Tunisia, Libya and Darfur. To encourage good governance, the PAP sent its own election observer mission to many countries, including Zimbabwe, Ghana, Zambia and Namibia. It hosted the Global African Diaspora Summit in an effort to strengthen continental solidarity and build a sense of common destiny among the people of Africa. The PAP also has good working relationships with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, the Southern African Development Community-Parliamentary Forum, SADC-PF, and the East African Legislative Assembly, EALA.
There are many challenges facing the PAP, the most important one being the lack of a dedicated budget. My colleague, the hon Muthambi, will address this in her speech. The transformation of the PAP into a legislative organ is one of the eminent and most important challenges facing it. There has been criticism of such transformation, given that we don't have common languages or currencies. This is yet another task for the AU chair to place high on her agenda for consideration. A review of the protocol is needed.
Having been a PAP MP since 2009, it is my considered opinion that the current challenges it faces can be overcome and that the PAP does have a meaningful role to play on the African continent. It is an honour to represent the Parliament of South Africa at the PAP and I am proud to be one of only five MPs in this august House to hold the title of double MP. I thank you for this responsibility. [Applause.]