Johannesburg, South Africa – 14 December 2014: The Africa Editors Forum (TAEF) former Chairperson, Mr. Mathatha Tsedu, on Saturday 13 December 2014 presented to the African Union Commission Chairperson H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma the final report of the "Communication’s Audit” they were commissioned to undertake on behalf of the the African Union Commission in 2012.

The report was handed to the Chairperson and her Deputy, H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the AUC leadership was meeting with Regional Economic Commissions (REC) and the NEPAD Agency.

The main objective of the audit was to look at the capacity, structure, resourcing and staffing of the AUC’s current arrangement and its ability to fulfil the communications needs of the organisation and its regional and specialist agencies.

Receiving the report, the Chairperson, thanked Mr. Tsedu and the TAEF team for the significant contribution toward improving the communication of the the AU Commission. She expressed the hope that TAEF will remain available to assist the Commission during the implementation phase, particularly with Communications being a strategic pillar in the Commission’s 2014-2017 Strategic plan.

She further indicated that the role of the media will even become more relevant and important in the popularization of Agenda 2063 framework and the first 10 year Implementation Plan of Action.

Reacting to the Chairperson’s remarks, the former President of TAEF quipped that, "we have not stopped being African because we have concluded this project." Mr. Tsedu reaffirmed their commitment to continue to work with the AU and contribute their skills whenever they are called upon.

The audit was conducted by three experts from Ghana, Senegal and Algeria, with Mr. Tsedu tasked by TAEF as Project Director. It was financed through a private sector sponsorship.

JEE/