A consortium has been established to support the Zimbabwean consolidation of democracy, stability and peace. Six credible South African civil society organisations are part of this consortium. Members participating in this initiative are in agreement that the transformation and reconstruction processes in South Africa cannot be divorced from socio-economic and political processes of the SADC.

Accordingly the consortium is searching for interventions that will contribute towards stability and growth that will benefit all people within the SADC region. "Good governance and democracy are considered as the key elements of a better Africa," asserts Dr Molefe Tsele, the General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches.

Active Civil Society participation in Africa's renewal has been recognised by the African Heads of State through the AU. This decision, by the AU, informs the consortium's commitment to observe the National Election processes in Zimbabwe.

The SACC elected to lead the group of election observers, recruited by the consortium. An application for accreditation has already been submitted to the appropriate authorities in Zimbabwe, through the Zimbabwe Council of Churches. Dr Tsele stated "that timeous accreditation and deployment of the SACCs Ecumenical Observer Mission will enable Southern African churches to make informed decisions about the Zimbabwean electoral processes.

"Such an observer mission will further encourage Zimbabweans to exercise their right to vote", Tsele said.

Dr Tsele is hopeful that the Zimbabwe Authorities will soon reply to the SACC application to be accredited as election observers.

Should the accreditation not be confirmed by March 23, Dr Tsele is concerned that there will be insufficient time to properly prepare a credible regional church delegation. He is concerned that "this will be a sad experience."

"It is sad and counter productive when Churches and other civil society organisations are deprived from the responsibility of contributing towards the noble ideals of the African Union" laments Dr Tsele.

Interaction with consortium partners and ordinary people in Zimbabwe affirms the importance of SADC civil society groups observing the Zimbabwe Election. There is also an agreement that elections are part of a broader process to build democracy in Africa. Post-election support is therefore imperative. Through the SACCs participation in the Zimbabwe election observation such post-election support will be enhanced. Dr Tsele reiterated the SACCs commitment to collaborate with the Zimbabwe Council of Churches as its sister organisation in Zimbabwe.

For more information: Dr Molefe Tsele, 011 241 7817 or 082 458 2037