GCAP Africa Welcomes Mbeki’s “War on Poverty” but Warns of Empty Hype

8 February 2008

Across Africa, members of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) alliance today welcomed the prioritization of poverty reduction in President Mbeki’s State of the Nation address but warned that there needed to be follow through.

“President Mbeki needs to be mindful of the gap between policy pronouncements and actions on the ground so this is not just more empty hype. He signed onto the Millennium Development Goals in 2000, and so far his obligations to the people of South Africa have not been fulfilled.  Current levels of poverty and inequality in South Africa are unacceptable and we want to see a delivery plan to match the rhetoric.” Said Christophe Zoungrana, GCAP Africa Coordinator on behalf of the GCAP African Facilitation Team.

President Mbeki’s call for a "national war room for a war against poverty”, bringing together government departments, provincial and local administrations as well as NGOs and business, is a step in the right direction. The GCAP Africa alliance has been lobbying for greater civil society participation at all levels of policymaking and for its members to be among those involved in improving accountability and creating good governance structures throughout Africa.  Similarly, Mbeki's commitments to provide universal access to water, sanitation and electricity as well as push the Strategic Plan against HIV and AIDS and reduce TB defaulter rates, were welcomed by GCAP.

For more information or to book an interview with GCAP Africa Coordinator Christophe Zoungrana or with GCAP Co-Chair Kumi Naidoo contact: Ciara O‘Sullivan, Media Coordinator, GCAP, Tel: + 34 679 594 809 ciara.osullivan@civicus.org

Notes to Editors: GCAP is the world’s biggest alliance dedicated to ending poverty and inequality. It is composed of NGOs, trade unions, community groups, women’s organizations, faith and youth groups, as well as local associations and campaigners in 110 countries.  In October, they helped mobilise 43.7million people against poverty and inequality. Visit www.whiteband.org