FOR SPEECH AUDIO OF THE NCOP CHAIRPERSON, MS REFILWE MTSHWENI-TSIPANE, PLEASE CLICK: https://iono.fm/c/4704
FOR PICTURES OF THE OPENING CEREMONY, PLEASE CLICK: Pic 1 & Pic 2 & Pic 3, Pic 4, Pic 5, Pic 6, Pic 7 (NCOP Chairperson) Pic 8 (from left to right: North West Legislature Speaker, Dr Desbo Mohono, North West Premier, Mr Lazarus Mokgosi, NCOP Chairperson, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and NCOP Deputy Chairperson, Ms Les Govender) Credit: Phandolwazi Jikelo/Parliament of RSA
Parliament, Wednesday, 13 May 2026 – The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to participatory democracy, accountability and responsive governance during the official opening ceremony of the NCOP’ Taking Parliament to the People (TPTTP) programme in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality in the North West Province yesterday.
Addressing just over 1 000 residents gathered at the Spirit Word Church in Stilfontein, Ms Mtshweni-Tsipane said the primary objective of the programme is to create a platform for meaningful engagement between the NCOP and communities, with a view to finding practical and sustainable solutions to local challenges.
She said through the TPTTP programme, the NCOP seeks to listen directly to communities through structured public hearings; identify service delivery challenges and barriers to development; strengthen coordination across the three spheres of government; promote accountability in the implementation of government programmes; and facilitate immediate, short-term and long-term interventions.
Providing political and constitutional context to the programme, Ms Mtshweni-Tsipane reflected on South Africa’s democratic journey as the country commemorates 30 years of the Constitution - a milestone that represents both a celebration of constitutional democracy and a moment of reflection on the political, social and economic realities that continue to shape post-1994 South Africa.
She noted that the Constitution, adopted in 1996 following extensive public participation, established institutions such as the NCOP to ensure that provincial interests are meaningfully represented at national level. The NCOP was specifically designed to provide a platform where issues affecting provinces and municipalities can be elevated into the national discourse, while enabling communities themselves to actively participate in governance. “It is in fulfilment of this constitutional mandate that the NCOP introduced the Taking Parliament to the People programme in 2002,” she said.
Ms Mtshweni-Tsipane added that the programme was established to deepen public participation and strengthen democracy by ensuring direct interaction between Parliament and communities. She said the initiative enables Delegates to the NCOP, Provincial Legislatures and Municipal Councils to engage directly with residents and assess first-hand the day-to-day social and economic realities affecting communities.
Emphasising the significance of the initiative, Ms Mtshweni-Tsipane said the programme is “not merely an oversight exercise; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to participatory democracy and accountability”. She further described the programme as being inspired by the Freedom Charter’s enduring call that “no government can justly claim authority unless it is based on the will of the people.”
The opening ceremony officially launched the TPTTP programme taking place in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality under the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality from 12 to 15 May 2026 under the theme: “Ensuring a people-centred local government towards building better communities.”
The programme creates a direct platform for collaboration among all three spheres of government and communities, while enabling NCOP delegates to assess service delivery challenges first-hand and hold government leaders accountable.
North West Premier, Mr Lazarus Mokgosi, welcomed the hosting of the programme in Matlosana, describing it as an honour for the province and municipality, which is also recognised as the birthplace of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Premier emphasised the critical role of local government in ensuring the delivery of basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity and refuse removal.
“Drawing from the programme theme, it is critical that local government continues to put people first, since all development happens at the coalface of service delivery within municipalities,” said Premier Mokgosi. The Premier also reflected on the provincial government’s recent Kgotha-Kgothe convened by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in February 2026 under the theme: “Fixing Local Government; Every Municipality Must Work.”
He said the engagement advanced discussions on building lean, agile and properly funded municipal structures, strengthening Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPACs), implementing performance management systems, reducing dependence on consultants, and improving internal capacity to produce financial statements and enhance governance.
Premier Mokgosi further reiterated the province’s commitment to improving the delivery of basic services, including water, electricity, sanitation, refuse removal, road maintenance and cemetery maintenance, while also addressing blocked infrastructure projects.
Executive Mayor of the City of Matlosana, Councillor Fikile Mahlophe, welcomed Parliament’s visit and said the oversight programme would strengthen intergovernmental relations and accelerate service delivery.
“As a municipality, we appreciate the fact that Parliament has come down to us. This oversight visit will help strengthen intergovernmental relations among the three spheres and fast-track service delivery,” she said.
Councillor Mahlophe said the municipality remains committed to fulfilling the objects of local government as outlined in Chapter 7, Section 152 of the Constitution, including providing democratic and accountable government, ensuring sustainable service delivery, promoting social and economic development, fostering a safe and healthy environment, and encouraging community participation in local governance matter.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo – Parliament Spokesperson
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