Stop the War

South Africans unite against attack on Iraq

In an unprecedented show of unity, groups and individuals from across the political and social spectrum came together in Johannesburg this week to oppose the threatened war against Iraq.

In a joint declaration, over 50 organisations said all South Africans have the responsibility to stop the war and secure peace and development across the world.

"We are united in our conviction that war against Iraq is wrong. It is wrong because it is the poor who will be its main victims. It is wrong because it will inflame, rather than resolve, global conflicts, particularly those in the Middle East. It is wrong because the forces of power and greed motivate it," the declaration said.

Organisations supporting the declaration include political parties and movements, religious groupings, business organisations, women's organisations, youth and student organisations, and NGOs. In addition to the ANC, the group includes three other parties represented in parliament - the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO), Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and United Democratic Movement (UDM). It also includes the South African Communist Party, Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African National Civics Organisation.

The religious sector includes the South African Council of Churches, the Council of Muslim Theologians, representatives of the Jewish community, and representatives of the Anglican, Catholic and Methodist churches in South Africa.

"Represented amongst us are men and women, young and old, from all sectors of society and from all shades of political opinion: all colours, all religious beliefs and all spiritual convictions find expression in this diverse collective.

Youth is represented by the ANC Youth League, Congress of South African Students (COSAS), Pan African Youth Congress, South African Students Congress (SASCO) and the South African Student Volunteer Organisation. Other organisations include the National African Federated Chambers of Commerce (NAFCOC), Musicians' Union of South Africa, Lawyers for Human Rights and the Media Review Network.

"We are convinced that, as a people, South Africans are united in their opposition to war. We believe that it is of utmost importance that we show this to the world," they said.

Action against war

The groups called on all South Africans to unite in support of the international day of action against war, taking place on Saturday 15 February. A number of activities have been planned across the country to coincide with a massive global mobilisation against the war. Demonstrations are expected to take place in over 520 cities on every continent in the world, including Antarctica. Anti-war groups expect 15 February will likely be the single largest day of protest in world history.

A march will be taking place in Johannesburg, from the Beyers Naude Square (formerly known as the Library Gardens) passed US consulate offices and onto Mary Fitzgerald Square. In Cape Town, there will also be a march on the US consulate, departing from Kaizergracht in District Six. An anti-war rally will be held outside the Durban City Hall. A march will also be held in Bloemfontein.

A memorandum from all the organisations involved in the Stop the War Campaign will be presented to the US embassy in Pretoria on Wednesday, 19 February. This will be preceded by a march from the Union Buildings.

There are a number of activities taking place within the religious community. Across the country, women's weekly Manyano prayer services will be praying for women and children affected by war. On Friday, 14 February, people of all faiths will be attending Muslim prayers for peace at one of Johannesburg's largest mosques, in Newtown. Christian churches will be devoting Sunday to prayers for world peace and the resolution of disputes by negotiation. This will include an ecumenical service at the Regina Mundi Church in Soweto.

Government efforts

The groups called on the South African government to continue its work to bring about a peaceful settlement of the current dispute through whatever mechanisms are available to it. This included the visit of Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad to Baghdad this week to meet with Iraq's foreign minister and deputy prime minister, and to deliver a letter from President Mbeki to President Hussein. The visit aimed to share with Iraq South Africa' s experience of voluntary disarmament. Pahad said a possible US attack on Iraq could still be averted.

Addressing the National Assembly foreign affairs committee, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Zuma said that any action on Iraq should be as a result of a collective decision of the United Nations. Iraq should disarm its weapons of mass destruction and comply completely with the UN's weapons inspectors.

"We know there are very advanced preparations for war, but we still feel that this war can be avoided and that disarmament can be achieved without war," she said.

More Information:

• Declaration of South Africans United Against War, February 2002
• Information on global demonstrations

Water services

People must be part of improving access

Members of the public have two more weeks to comment on the Draft Water Services White Paper, which, among other things, aims to ensure that all South Africans have access to affordable water and sanitation services.

The draft paper, which was published in October last year, outlines government's proposals to ensure access to sustainable and affordable water and sanitation services, particularly for the poor. It also covers the funding and efficient management of water services. It aims to promote community and user involvement in building, maintaining and managing infrastructure, especially in poor urban and rural areas.

Since 1994, significant progress has been made in the provision of water. It is estimated that more than 10 million additional people have been provided with basic water supplies in rural and urban areas over the last eight years. Nearly 60 percent of South Africans currently receive a free basic supply of 25 litres of clean water a day, which works out to 6,000 litres per household a month. This accounts for around 75 percent of people with access to water supply infrastructure and 191 of the country's 262 municipalities.

However, there is much more that needs to be done. It is estimated that there are still about eight million people in the country who do not have access to safe water. About 38 percent of the population is still without adequate sanitation.

The policies proposed by the draft white paper are aimed at addressing these backlogs, while ensuring that water and sanitation services can be sustained, and are effectively and efficiently managed. Part of the challenge, which the draft paper sets out to tackle, is to ensure that all the organisations involved in water service delivery are able and equipped to meet their responsibilities. These include the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, the government-owned water boards, community-based organisations, water companies and municipalities, which are the key focus of delivery.

The proposals in the draft white paper are aimed at ensuring that an additional seven million people are served with at least a basic water supply service within the next five years, and an additional 18 million people receive a basic sanitation service by 2010. All schools and clinics should have basic water services by 2005. Free basic water should be available to all those with access to infrastructure by 2004.

The extension of these services will take place alongside a public awareness and education programme. Hygiene education and the wise use of water should be taught at all schools by 2005, while three million households served with a basic sanitation service should have received hygiene education by 2004.

The proposals also place emphasis on ensuring water authorities are accountable and responsive to users. By 2005 all water service authorities are expected to have implemented consumer charters in accordance with sound principles. They are also expected to report annually on progress against their 'water services development plans'.

The proposed policies are informed by a number of 'social principles', including that everybody has a right to a basic water supply and sanitation, and that a strong and active civil society has an important role to play in the water services sector. Government is committed to working with civil society to identify local priorities, inform planning and support service delivery and implementation. It is also guided by the principle that women should play a central role in the planning, provision and management of water services. Education is a vital component of water services in achieving and sustaining health and quality of life benefits.

More Information:

• Draft White Paper on Water Services, October 2002

ANC Today Survey

Readers want more of the same - and more

Readers of ANC TODAY have given an enthusiastic 'thumbs-up' to the online voice of the African National Congress. But they want more articles on ANC policy, business and economics, and social development. And they want more debate and reader participation.

These were among the findings of the journal's first-ever reader survey, conducted to mark the 100th edition of the 'publication'. Over the week that the survey was on the ANC website, over 550 responses were received. This represents a good sample of the approximately 6,000 people who read ANC TODAY each week.

Head of ANC Communications, Smuts Ngonyama, said the response to the survey had exceeded expectations. "All those who completed the survey must be thanked for their frank assessment of the publication, and for the many helpful suggestions they made."

He said that the results of the survey would be used to guide efforts to improve the journal and hoped that readers would soon see the results of their contributions. "This is definitely not the last time we seek the views of our readers," he said.

Of those surveyed, 60 percent receive ANC TODAY by e-mail, 32 percent read it on the website, and eight percent read the printed copy which is distributed by fax to ANC offices. Ninety percent read it weekly and almost 70 percent read it on a Friday.

The most popular feature is the 'Letter from the President'. Ninety-one percent of respondents list the President Thabo Mbeki's regular column as one of the three things that they read ANC TODAY for. Other popular features include analysis of current South African events (60%), information on ANC policy (56%) and information on ANC programmes and activities (45%).

Readers would, however, like to see more articles on business and economics and social development. They would like to see more opinion pieces by ANC leaders - and more input from ANC members in provinces and at local level.

Most respondents rated the current coverage highly. Coverage of ANC programmes and activities was rated as good by 68 percent of respondents, average by 27 percent and poor by 5 percent. However, only 46 percent rated the coverage of media in South Africa as good. Forty-three percent said it was average and 11 percent said it was poor.

Table 1. How would you rate ANC TODAY's coverage of the following?

Eighty-nine percent of respondents described the quality of writing as readable, while 83 percent said the content of the articles was informative. Seventy percent thought that the articles were the right length. The rest thought they were too long.

Only a third of the respondents found the design attractive. About half described it as average, while 17 percent said it was dull. This is not surprising, given that 60 percent of respondents receive the text-only e-mail version of the journal. There seemed to be a strong feeling that the e-mail version should be sent in HTML format so that it looks similar to the web version.

There seems to be general agreement that ANC TODAY should continue to be published as it currently is. Seventy-six percent of readers said it should continue to be a weekly publication, while 17 percent said it should come out more often. Seven percent would like to see it less often.

From the survey, it is clear that the journal is read by a broad spectrum of people. At least a third of respondents describe themselves as ANC members, while almost as many describe themselves as 'interested South Africans'. Nearly 10 percent of readers are not resident in South Africa. Almost 20 percent of readers describe themselves as public servants.

Perhaps the most valuable responses, however, were to the last question - on how ANC TODAY could be improved. Apart from a wide array of practical suggestions, there were a number of popular themes which emerged.

Many readers felt there should be more space for debate and discussion on key issues, inviting contributions from people within the ANC and more broadly. There should be more opportunity for readers to make contributions. This could be done through a 'letters page' or online chat forums, it was suggested. Readers felt there should be greater input from provinces, branches and members of the ANC on what is taking place in different parts of the country - and on their views on current issues.

There appeared to be a leaning among respondents for more, shorter articles, covering a wider variety of issues each week.

There was general concern that ANC TODAY was not reaching enough people, and was limited to those with internet access. It was suggested that it should be produced and distributed in print form, and that the use of languages other than English should be considered. Ngonyama said that where it was possible - and resources allowed - every effort would be made to accommodate the suggestions from readers.

Over 500 respondents also submitted their names for the draw for one of 10 signed copies of the collected 'Letters from the President'. The draw for the 10 winners will take place at the next meeting of the ANC National Working Committee, which is on 24 February.

The full results of the survey will be made available on the website shortly.

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