Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

The South African political parties are giving high priority to a better understanding of the issue of poverty alleviation. A lot of talks have been dedicated to that issue both in South Africa and Malawi particularly since the start of the democratization process in the 90s.

Governments in both countries have adopted various policy and structural reforms aimed at eradicating poverty. Much of these efforts are undertaken by Governments and (by implication) ruling parties. However, all parties (both in government and opposition) have a significant role to make the fight against poverty a success.
 
 
From plans to action
 
The exchange visit in Malawi about the role of political parties in fighting poverty started with a joint workshop during which political parties from both Malawi and South Africa exchanged views and experiences on what they, as political parties should do to translate their poverty eradication oriented manifestos into action.

This was spiced up with field visits to the rural parts of Malawi to appreciate some of the initiatives that individual Malawians and also Malawian politicians are doing to contribute to Government efforts in poverty eradication.
 
 
Cooperating with sister parties
 
During the same visit, the South African political parties held meetings and discussions with their Malawian counterparts on a wide range of issues related to the institutional development of political parties as pillars of democracy. This was done through meetings with representatives of various political parties that are members of the Malawi Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD Malawi).

In the process, the South African political parties had the opportunity of appreciating the functioning of an institutionalized inter-party dialogue platform, like the CMD-Malawi. Through these inter-party discussions, politicians from both South Africa and Malawi were also able to identify potential ‘sister’ parties with whom they can, in future, intensify bilateral cooperation.
 
 
NIMD regional exchange programme
 
This exchange visit was the first of its kind to be done within the framework of the country-to-country exchange programme which NIMD facilitates for political parties. The Johannesburg based policy think tank and NIMD partner, Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) and the CMD Malawi jointly prepared this visit. Such exchange programmes are meant to consolidate inter-party dialogue within the country and also further promote cooperation of political parties across countries by way of exchange of experiences.

By sharing best practices and lessons learned on various themes of interest to political parties, or by addressing difficulties together, the political parties in East and Southern Africa learn from each other, and learn together.

In August this year, CMD Malawi is also expected to host a delegation of political party representatives from Mali. Other planned visits include: Malawi to visit Mozambique (and possibly South Africa), South Africa to visit Zambia, Tanzania to host Kenya and Mozambique to pay a visit to Zambia.