To download images of the NCOP Chairperson: Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane click here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DPJm6BMFOMBowcqW2F7XjtGWDX_n0bfB?usp=drive_link
To download the soundbite of Chairperson of the NCOP: Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane click here: https://www.iono.fm/e/1686506
Parliament, Tuesday, 16 June 2026 – National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Chairperson, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, has urged African legislative leaders to come together and use the common challenges and shared interests to deepen the collective vision of building a better Africa.
Speaking at the official opening of the 19th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) Africa Region this afternoon at Emperors Palace in Ekurhuleni, Chairperson Mtshweni-Tsipane said: “We together understand the depths from which Africa has emerged, given its painful history of slavery, colonialism, neo-colonialism and apartheid. In this respect, and cognisant of our mission to promote and advance parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance, the focus areas of this Conference must equally underline the major fault lines of the world today.”
The CSPOC Africa Region, the largest regional gathering of Commonwealth legislative leaders, is held under the conference theme, “Proactive Parliaments and Sustainable Development: An Imperative for Political Stability in Africa.” It seeks to strengthen legislative institutions and advance accountability, effective oversight and sustainable development across the continent.
Chairperson Mtshweni-Tsipane emphasised that the unity of Africa remains sacrosanct and that South Africa remains home to all Africans, while remaining open to the community of nations across the globe.
The Chairperson noted that the shared challenges of migration and coexistence, as global and continental phenomena, are manifestations of unresolved historical questions and challenges. She said platforms such as CSPOC are essential spaces where Heads of Parliament can convene to share knowledge and develop the capacity and tools required to advance the wellbeing and development of African societies.
The conference, which runs until Thursday, 18 June 2026, will continue tomorrow with plenary sessions focusing on:
The Role of Parliaments in Enhancing Public Trust in Governance - led by the Parliaments of Botswana and Uganda, this session will tackle the global challenge of declining public faith in political institutions; and
Reforming and Developing Innovative Mechanisms and Strategies for Effective and Proactive Parliamentary Leadership In Africa’s Development – led by the Parliamens of Sierra Leone and Lesotho. Here, the session will move from reactive oversight to proactive leadership: focus on how to anticipate challenges in Africa’s development before they become intractable.
CSPOC is convened under the auspices of the African Regional Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), an international association of Commonwealth parliamentarians established in 1911 to promote parliamentary democracy, good governance and cooperation among legislatures across the Commonwealth.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo, Parliament Spokesperson
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