In an effort to ensure the National Council of Provinces delivers on its constitutional mandate as enshrined in section 42 (4) and 44 (1)(b) of the Constitution, the NCOP will this week hold a two-day induction workshop for newly elected chairpersons and whips. With the theme “Defining our collective effort in realising the mandate of the NCOP”, the purpose of the workshop is to build greater collaborative relationships between whips and chairpersons to ensure that, in pursuing their roles and responsibilities, they do so to advance the NCOP’s mandate in the 7th Parliament.
The Constitution provides that the NCOP’s purpose is to represent the provinces and to ensure that provincial interests are considered in the national sphere of government. It does this mainly by participating in the national legislative process and by providing a national forum for public consideration of issues affecting the provinces.
The 7th Parliament NCOP rules committee established 10 select committees, one less than those of the 6th Parliament. The chairpersons are elected from among the permanent delegates serving on the select committees. Because the NCOP has only 54 permanent delegates, each select committee shadows the work of more than one national government department. These select committees are the "engine rooms" of the NCOP, as they oversee the performance of various government departments. Select committees are also crucial in ensuring a consistent focus on provincial issues.
The induction will centre around the 7th Parliament’s draft macro strategic framework, which guides the committees in achieving Parliament’s goals. Furthermore, the induction will consider the role of the NCOP in drafting legislation and with oversight and public participation in committees, all essential aspects of the democratic process. The objective is to ensure the careful crafting of laws and meaningful public engagement in legislative matters.
The Chairperson of the NCOP, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, will headline the opening day of the induction and will outline the importance of the NCOP in ensuring an effective legislative arm of state. Mr Poobalan Govender, the Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, will outline the objectives and strategic imperatives of the workshop, aiming to establish a strong foundation for a unified approach towards fulfilling the NCOP’s mandate.
The former Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces and the former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thandi Modise, will also be a keynote speaker, addressing the issue of collaboration, which is necessary to build a Parliament that is a pillar of South Africa’s democracy.
The programme will also include a panel discussion on the effective functioning of the whippery in Parliament, with contributions from former Chief Whip of the National Assembly, Prof Mathole Motshekga, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Lechesa Tsenoli, Deputy Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and former NCOP Chief Whip, Mr Seiso Mohai, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and former Deputy Chief Whip of the Majority Party, Mr Carl Nel, and Mr Xola Pakati, the Deputy President of the South African Local Government Association.
It is expected that at the conclusion of the workshop, the chairpersons and whips will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to facilitate strong legislative processes and improve oversight functions.
Malatswa Molepo
20 August 2024
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