The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Refiloe Masemene, says capacity building is much more than training, and it includes human resource development and access to information.

Mr. Masemene said this on Tuesday at the opening of a four-day African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) 5th Annual meeting for Principals and Permanent Secretaries and Directors-General responsible for labour and employment issues held at Mohale Lodge.

He indicated that institutional and legal framework development are needed to effect legal and regulatory changes to enable organisations, institutions and agencies at all level and in all sectors to enhance their capacities.

The Minister noted that "For Africa to stay steadily on the path of poverty-reduction, economic and growth will have to continue building, retaining and effectively utilising its capacities".

"The continent needs to urgently bolster the quality and efficiency of its human capital, physical infrastructure and climate for business transactions, mediated by sound economic policy and effective institutions, particularly in an era when HIV/AIDS is rapidly eroding capacity in many
countries," he stressed.

The Minister, further pointed out that it is time to form a partnership among all stakeholders to design resource and implement the kind of bold, cross-cutting and comprehensive programmes of capacity development envisaged by African Union.

On the other hand, ARLAC Director, Dr Sammay Nyambari said international experience has shown that sustainable development requires an effective management system, in which capacity building is crucial.

'It requires well trained decision-makers and managerial personnel as well as the use of advanced management techniques and the establishment and improvement of organisational institutions,' he highlighted.

Presently, he said, there is a lot of work to be done, and this is important 'if we are to create employment and eradicate poverty', furthermore, saying the development of education is fundamental to sustainable development.

He however, said the key to eliminating poverty through developing the economy is in scientific and technical progress and improving labour skills.

At least 15 English Speaking countries are participating at the meeting in which Mozambique attended as observers.

The countries, which are represented besides Lesotho as the hosts are Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe while South Africa and Swaziland were still expected to attend.

The meeting seeks to review progress made, since the last meeting which was held in Malawi last year and so to map the way forward.

Source: LENA 30/10/2007