Since its launch in 2012, Africa in Fact (AIF), GGA’s quarterly publication, has served as a mouthpiece for good governance in Africa. In a continent with so much potential but is constantly stymied by bad governance and bad leadership, the publication has added tremendous value, by giving voice to millions of Africans and drawing attention to the issues that affect them daily. This it does through quality articles by some of the continent’s most credible writers, writers who have the best interests of Africa and its people at heart. AIF has ensured that these voices consistently reach decision-makers and opinion makers who, in turn, help to influence public policy.
I came across AIF for the first in one of the slow lounges at OR Tambo International Airport years before I joined GGA. I was attracted first by the quality and attractiveness of the cover page. As I opened its pages, I was further engaged by the clarity and quality of the articles and I’ve been hooked ever since. Every time I travelled via OR Tambo, I made sure to collect a copy of the publication. This amplified my yearning to know more about the issues it covered. You can imagine how joyful it was for me to join GGA and meet the people behind AIF, the staff who plan, coordinate, write, edit and sub-edit these articles. It is amazing to watch colleagues working so hard to produce such a great contribution to the knowledge economy.
On 2 October this year, GGA celebrates 10 years of existence. While planning the celebration, we felt we needed an issue of AIF dedicated to some of the best articles it has published over the years. It is amazing how the articles and the issues they raise remain relevant as South Africa moves into a new trajectory under the Government of National Unity. That said, AIF’s 10th anniversary publication takes a pan-African approach, highlighting some of the issues affecting the entire continent.
Going forward, AIF is a key piece of GGA’s new strategy of expansion into other parts of the continent. We have positioned the quarterly as a strategic tool through which the leadership of our continent might be encouraged to implement good governance and to improve government effectiveness, while ensuring that citizens’ lives are improved, and they can hold their governments to account. This is what our great continent needs at this point: Governments that care about people. Governments that use the resources at their disposal to improve the lives of poor people. Governments that create conducive environments for businesses to thrive.
AIF not only raises the complex problems facing our continent but also puts a spotlight on examples of good governance. We will continue to use these pages to share great stories and best practices. We want governments to see GGA as a solutions seeker and provider as well as a contributor to the improvement of governance. The publication will continue to be a platform for good quality thought leadership pieces that generate public debate and inform policies in ways that will ensure good governance finally becomes entrenched in our beautiful continent.
Lonwabo Patrick Kulati, CEO, GGA (SARO)
Patrick Kulati
Patrick Lonwabo Kulati is a successful CEO renowned for his leadership in international NGOs across South Africa and Africa. He specialises in strategic leadership, change management, stakeholder relations, and governance. As a trained integral coach and facilitator, Patrick empowers leaders and organisations for success, offering expertise in profitability, resilience, and navigating challenges. An accomplished speaker and published author of A Gap in the Cloud, he shares insights on leadership, personal development, and strategy execution at various global events. In 2002, he was selected as part of a crop of young leaders to develop Mt Fleur Scenarios, known as SA 2020 Scenarios, under the auspices of the African Leadership Institute, the United Nations Development Programme, and the University of the Western Cape.
