VENUE: NCOP CHAMBER - PARLIAMENT
DATE: 29 – 30 JANUARY 2025
TIME: 10h00
Honourable Chief Whip, Honourable Delegates of the National Council of Provinces, Adv. Phindela, programme facilitators and officials, allow me to commence by welcoming you back after a well-deserved break. I am confident that you are well rested and ready for the start of a busy 2025 as we commence the work of the NCOP and deliver on the promises to our people.
As we open this two day Member’s Training Session, I want to emphasise that the National Council of Provinces serves as a vital conduit between national, provincial, and local government legislation. Our participation requires us to engage vigorously, debate passionately, and legislate with foresight and efficiency in the fulfilment of our constitutional mandate as contained in section 42 of the Constitution.
The success of our constitutional framework and democratic processes relies heavily on each one of us, and how empowered and capable we are in fulfilling our constitutional duties. I recognise the immense responsibility on all of us as we execute our duties and as we fulfil the mandates of our political parties which is why we have decided to start the year off with a training session for members of the NCOP.
I recognise that the road ahead is not without its challenges. The demands of governance are ever-changing, multifaceted and the responsibilities carried by each of us are becoming increasingly complex.
The sessions over these two days are structured to enhance our skills, knowledge, and capacity to navigate these responsibilities effectively. Our goal is to be empowered to excel in our roles, ensuring that the voices of all South Africans resonate clearly and meaningfully in this House.
Honourable Colleagues, you are entrusted with a wide array of responsibilities, ranging from lawmaking, budget approval, policy implementation, and oversight to ensuring the protection of fundamental rights and liberties. Your decisions influence national economic policies, social justice frameworks, international relations, and the very structure of our society.
Our programme begins by examining the effective application and interpretation of NCOP Rules. These rules are not arbitrary—they are the framework that ensures decorum, fairness, and inclusivity in our proceedings. Under the Government of National Unity (GNU), changes need to be made to accommodate the diversity of interests and not to assert dominance by any individual or political organisation. This 7th administration is different from previous administrations and thus requires all of us to have a hand in ensuring the success of coalition governance. To this end members must have an in-depth understanding of the rules of the NCOP.
These rules are in place to ensure that there is decorum in the House and that all political parties can fully represent their constituency’s voices. We must recommit ourselves to maintaining the sanctity of the rules and understand the conditions of appropriate application. Members must remember that the rules must be used to inform and advance the will of our people. Members of the public look to us to articulate their aspirations and to do this we must interpret and apply the rules of the NCOP correctly. If we make a mockery of our work through irrelevant usage of the rules for points of order then we degrade the impact of the work that not only we do but the thousands of supporting government officials do.
As members of this House, we are not just legislative participants but are the voices of the people. We carry on our shoulders the hopes, dreams, and concerns of our constituencies into the legislative halls, often under intense scrutiny, expectation and pressure. To be successful, we must consistently pursue perfection and excellence.
The programme over the next two days has been thoughtfully crafted and brings to us role-players who possess a wealth of knowledge not only through their advanced educational qualifications but their collective years of experience. This programme has been designed to be fit for our purposes with a special focus on capacity building.
To better understand the need for continuous empowerment, we must take a wholesome approach in understanding our political and socio-economic landscape.
1. Complexity of Governance:
As members of the NCOP we have a special duty to best represent our provincial
interests and issues when legislation is developed. It is to this end that we must become fully versed in understanding matters that affect provinces such as legislation as contained in sections 100 and 139 of the constitution. We are directly involved in these matters and it is our intervention that can change the lives of millions of South Africans.
2. Technological Advancements:
With the brisk pace of technological innovation, delegates must remain well-informed about how technology impacts governance, society, and the economy. Digital platforms, artificial intelligence, data privacy, and cybersecurity are just a few examples of technological areas that demand the attention of lawmakers and policy initiators. To legislate effectively in these areas, delegates need continuous training and access to expertise. One of the most pressing and concerning problems is the circulation of fake news. Legislating against this becomes a particularly difficult exercise as many other freedoms might be impacted, nonetheless effective legislation is needed.
Not only do we need to have legislative understanding of this, we must place greater emphasis on performing tasks with the aid of technology. Covid19 forced us to make use of virtual platforms to conduct the work of parliament and whilst we are slowly moving away from the need to host house sittings virtually, other societal demands require us to maintain our technological awareness such as the need to reduce our carbon footprint through paper saving methods of communication and maybe maintaining some aspects of hybrid sittings.
3. Public Expectations and Accountability:
The public's expectations of us as representatives have grown. Citizens are more engaged, informed, and vocal about their demands. Social media and digital communication channels are used quite often to express their concerns and demands. Social media calls for transparency and real-time accountability of our actions.
4. Resource Constraints:
Honourable Colleagues, as we try to carry the mandate of our constituencies we find ourselves constrained due to budget cuts and a lack of resources. These constraints become frustrating as sometimes the work of the NCOP is compromised.
Given these challenges, it becomes clear that we cannot function in a vacuum. They require sustained support, training, and empowerment to overcome the obstacles we face and to make decisions that are in the best interest of our constituencies and the nation.
In conclusion:
As we conclude this session tomorrow, let us reflect on the immense responsibility we swore to undertake as members of the NCOP. This responsibility is not confined to legislation only — it extends to the people who look to us for leadership, advocacy, and representation.
I encourage you to approach these sessions with open minds and a willingness to learn. The skills, insights, and knowledge you gain will equip you to make meaningful contributions in this House and beyond. Let us at all times strive to maintain the decorum of the House. As Presiding Officers we are committed to protecting the voices of every Honourable Member in a fair manner and therefore we urge you to apply the Rules of the NCOP responsibly.
Let us emerge from this two-day session not only as better legislators but as more informed leaders dedicated to the service of our nation.
I thank you.
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