Parliament, Monday, 19 August 2024 – The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, will tomorrow, Tuesday, 20 August, address day one of the two-day induction workshop for the newly elected chairpersons of select committees and Whips, themed, “Defining our collective effort in realising the mandate of the NCOP”.
The purpose of the workshop is to foster a collaborative relationship between Whips and chairpersons, focusing on their roles and responsibilities in advancing the mandate of the NCOP in the 7th Parliament.
This meeting will be the first gathering of the whips and chairpersons of the NCOP following the successful National Assembly orientation session earlier this month. The discussions will centre around the draft macro strategic framework of the 7th Parliament, crucial for guiding the committees in achieving Parliament's goals.
The workshop will delve into the processes of legislation, 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. By the end 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.
Ms. Thandi Modise, the Former Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairperson of the NCOP, will be one of the keynote speakers at the workshop. Her address will revolve around "Working together to build a Parliament that is the pillar of democracy in South Africa". 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.
Additionally, the programme will 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.
The NCOP is constitutionally mandated to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government. This is done through participation in the national legislative process and by providing a national forum for consideration of issues affecting provinces.
DETAILS OF THE TWO-DAY WORKSHOP ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Date: Tuesday, 20 August And Wednesday, 21 August 2024
Time: 09:30 on both days
Venue: Southern Sun, 23 Strand Street, Cape Town
Please note that members of the media will only be allowed a photo opportunity as well as attendance of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson’s remarks in the morning session. The other sessions will be closed.
Members of the media who wish to attend the open session of the induction workshop should send their details (Full name, name of the media house, and ID or passport number) to mntsodo@parliament.gov.za or via WhatsApp on 081 716 2021.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
For media enquiries, please contact Moloto Mothapo
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