EDITORIAL
This first newsletter of Transparency South Africa takes its name from Africa’s most respected figure, Julius Nyerere (1922 – 1999). The former president of Tanzania was known widely by the name of his former profession, Mwalimu (which means teacher in Swahili).

Influenced by his Catholic, socialist and humanist ideas, Nyerere was an incorruptible African leader who lived a life of integrity and sincerity. We know that Julius Nyerere was not without his faults and critics but we have praise for his dedicated pursuit for social justice, self-reliance, knowledge, activism, human dignity and equality for all, and believe that he puts many of today’s leaders to shame. We, however, will not be a mouthpiece of his ideas, but provide a space for those members and allies committed to the vision of a society, where exploitation and oppression, hunger, and abuse of power, where corruption and the lack of accountability is no more. We are in particular concerned at the nexus between corruption (lack of transparency, lack of accountability, mal-governance, etc.) and sustainable development solutions. It means that we will have to grapple with corruption and the myriad inequalities that it engenders and feeds off.

Hassen Lorgat (coordinator and contributor)

Contents:

• Learning from each other – The interview: Hansjörg Elshorst
• The South African Update
• The UN turns 60: UBUNTU’s Statement
• The South African National Self–Assessment Process (APRM): some reflections
• Heinrich Kieber: Whistleblower of a special type?
• Current Debate – Should NGOs and TI and the movement do consultancy work?
• Resources
• Next actions