African Ombudsman Centre Relaunched for Continental Oversight
The Public Protector South Africa, in its capacity as Chairperson of the African Ombudsman Research Centre, has successfully relaunched the African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
This high-level event was convened in partnership with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
Under the theme: “Using Ombudsman Powers to Strengthen Governance and Advance SDGs in Africa”, the relaunch brought together and was accompanied by a high-level training programme for ombudsman institutions, public protector, policymakers, members of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), academics, and governance experts from across the continent to reaffirm the critical role of oversight institutions in promoting accountability, transparency and ethical governance on the continent.
Launched 15 years ago, the AORC, located in UKZN, has been instrumental in equipping ombudsman institutions across Africa with the knowledge, skills, and research needed to support their mandates. As the research and training arm of the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA), the relaunch of the Centre marks a strategic milestone in strengthening collaboration and governance oversight institutions across Africa. It renews the institution’s commitment to expanding its reach and training programmes.
The Centre’s renewed mandate underscores efforts to empower Ombudsman and Public Protector institutions to advance transparency, ethical governance, and administrative justice — crucial at a time when many African states face rising pressure to tackle corruption, promote whistleblower protection and rebuild public trust. In short, it marks a strategic and symbolic recommitment to building stronger, more accountable and citizen‑responsive governance systems across Africa.
Crucially, the research and training programmes will help support the statutory mandates of the oversight institutions, strengthen their investigative and oversight powers in the implementation of Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals, and monitor service delivery outcomes aligned to the SDGs.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Andries Nel, said, “Ombudsman, Mediators, and Public Protector institutions play a crucial role in advancing Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16, which promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions.”
He further underscored the importance of recent systemic investigations that have contributed to strengthening human rights protections for vulnerable groups, particularly in addressing gender-based violence and femicide, which have been declared a national crisis in South Africa.
UKZN Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation (Acting), Professor Anil Chuturgoon, said, “The relaunch of the Africa Ombudsman Research Centre and Training reflects a shared commitment from all of us, as partners, to strengthening accountability, deepening democratic practice, and ensuring that public institutions remain responsive to the people they serve. Across the continent, ombudsman institutions carry a vital responsibility.”
“As a proudly African University committed to research that responds to real challenges and learning shaped by the realities of our continent, this gathering reflects who we are and what we stand for. Here at UKZN, we believe that knowledge must find expression in institutions, policies and practices that improve lives. The Africa Ombudsman Research Centre, within our School of Law, embodies this approach,” she said.
South Africa’s Public Protector and African Ombudsman Research Centre Board Chairman, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, said South Africa is proud to play a pivotal role in this initiative and share its experiences to advance the democratisation of countries across the continent. She said the shared experience will empower African citizens to hold their governments accountable.
She further revealed that AORC has submitted a draft resolution to DIRCO for consideration and tabling at the African Union Commission. “Ombudsman institutions must position themselves as champions of good governance on the continent,” she concluded.
Author: Public Protector South Africa
Image: Sethu Dlamini
