Public Protector of SA marks 30 years with global conference
21:10:2025: The Public Protector of South Africa (PPSA) celebrated its 30th anniversary with a landmark international conference held in Cape Town from October 13 to 16, 2025.
The event, themed‘30 Years of Strengthening Constitutional Democracy – A Transformative Journey,’ brought together Ombudsman institutions, anti-corruption agencies, and donor organizations from across the globe.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) was represented by Commissioner John Ogallo and the Deputy Director for Ethics Development and Monitoring, Mr. David Kaboro, following an official invitation extended to the Commission through the CEO.
Established as the constitutional Ombudsman of South Africa, the PPSA also plays a central role in the country’s anti-corruption efforts. The conference provided a platform for international delegates to exchange experiences and best practices in enhancing governance, accountability, and collaboration between integrity institutions.
Key speakers included leading experts in governance and public accountability, who emphasized the importance of institutional cooperation and the development of transnational networks to bolster democratic oversight.
A notable proposal discussed during the conference was the formation of a Commonwealth Network of Good Governance and Accountability Institutions, envisioned to strengthen collaboration among Ombudsman and anti-corruption bodies across Commonwealth nations. The proposed network would operate under the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat and be modelled on the existing Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa (AACACA).
However, adoption of a formal resolution to establish the new network was postponed to allow for further consultation among key stakeholders.
The conference marked a significant milestone for the PPSA and underscored the growing momentum for global cooperation in the fight against corruption and the promotion of accountable governance.
