A/HRC/21/16 programme, aimed at linking the diaspora with the development efforts of the continent and giving practical meaning to the concept of one African family. 29. The Government would continue to pursue its key priorities as set out in the Medium Term Strategic Framework (2009–2014). Those included the establishment of the National Health Insurance system with the objective to ensure universal health coverage. 30. The Government was implementing a gender equity strategy to achieve its target of a minimum of 50 per cent for women’s representation. For example, representation of women in the legislature stood at 44 per cent as compared to 25 per cent after the first democratic elections in 1994. A new gender equity bill aimed at enforcing gender parity measures across all sectors of society was in the pipeline. 31. With regard to safety and security, the delegation was happy to report that the crime statistics released during September 2011 confirmed that the tide was turning in the fight against crime. A reduction in the reported crime statistics had been seen across all categories of crime. Importantly, the 2011 National Victims of Crime Survey findings supported trends that showed a decrease in crime levels. 32. All the above were examples of key priorities that the Government of South Africa was pursuing towards the realization of the aspirations of its people and the fulfilment of its international obligations as regards the respect for and promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Government would continue to work tirelessly towards the development of the country, as a developmental State that responded to the needs and aspirations of its people. To that end, the Government was striving to strengthen the public sector to improve the provision of services within a developmental State. 33. The Government was committed to working with independent institutions created to support the constitutional democracy, such as the Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Gender Equality and the Office of the Public Protector. 34. The Government also pledged its commitment to do all in its power to sign and ratify, before the end of 2012, all outstanding instruments in the area of international human rights and humanitarian law. 35. The delegation stated, in conclusion, that while extraordinary progress had been made over the previous 18 years, there was much left to be done and that the Government was very mindful of the words of its former President, Nelson Mandela: ―I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view on the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities and I dare not linger for my long walk is not yet ended‖. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 36. During the interactive dialogue, 77 delegations made statements. The delegation of South Africa was thanked for its presentation of the national report and for its constructive engagement in the universal periodic review process. Recommendations made during the dialogue are found in section II of the present report. 37. India commended South Africa on its achievements in different areas, including health insurance and universal primary education. It requested information on how the cluster system to coordinate mechanisms to implement programmes for the attainment of the national key priorities identified for its Medium Term Strategic Framework and the recently established Planning Commission are coordinated. 6