National Council of Provinces Members’ Capacity Development Session

DAY 1: Wednesday, 29 January 2025

Session 1
SESSION CHAIR: Hon. BA Radebe, MP 
House Chairperson: Members Support and International Relations

Time

Presenter(s) 

08h30 – 10h00

ALL

10h00 – 10h15

Opening and Welcome 

• Thematic focus: Continuous empowerment of Delegates to enable them to fulfill their constitutional functions effectively

10h15 – 10h35

Effective Application and Interpretation of the NCOP Rules

• Parliamentary Proceedings
• Examples of Conventions
• Membership of the NCOP
• Participation of Special Delegates in NCOP business
• Purpose of Rules, precedents, conventions
• Commonly used Rules
• Motions

10h35 – 11h00

ALL 

11h00 – 11h20

Rules of Behaviour and Courtesies in the House: Maintaining the good order of proceedings and the civility of debate so that all Members can participate and be heard with respect 

• Rules of Order and Decorum
• Reference to other members / delegates
• Offensive and unbecoming language (unparliamentary language)
• Points of order
• Points of privilege
• Conventions.
• Courtesy to other Members

Rules and Procedures for Oral and Written Questions as critical tools for overseeing and scrutinizing executive action

• Rules and procedure regarding Oral and Written Questions.
• Relevance of oral and written questions in the oversight work of Delegates.
• Analysis of Questions in the context of NDP, Agenda 2063.

Context and Practical Demonstration: Rules of Order and Decorum 

• Showing respect to the House and to all members.
• Virtual rules.
• Loading a virtual background.
• Activating virtual services such as interpretation, testing your connection, audio / microphone and appearance, etc.
• Do’s and Don’ts in the House; etiquette of public speaking on the Virtual Platform.
• Framing in sittings and committee meetings of the Council.
• Role of ICT in promoting cyber security awareness and prevention of phishing scams.
• Network support services.
• Software and hardware support.
• ICT self-service.

SESSION 2
SESSION CHAIR: Hon. Mr. KM Mmoiemang, MP
Chief Whip: National Council of Provinces

Time

Presenter(s) 

14h00 – 15h00

Making Effective and Impactful Speeches: Using the Power of Speech to Inform, Implore, Encourage and Make a Difference

• Mastering the techniques of public speaking and oratory skills.
• The use of the body to emphasise meanings or convey meanings during a speech.
• Making apt or appropriate speeches. How to master the different types of speeches (Call to action speeches, informative speeches, persuasive or political debate speeches and commemorative speeches).
• Key considerations for a good speech delivery
• Mastering non-verbal communication to build confidence and get the attention of your audience.
• Building a conversational style that attracts the attention of your audience and effectively conveys your message.
• Effective use of vocals (tonality, pitch, volume, accentuation or stress on different words, and pronunciation) and vocal variation.
• How to maintain effective volume, pitch, pauses and delivery rate of your speech.
• Building an effective word pronunciation technique.
• Using body movement and posture that will capture the audience.
• Mastering facial expressions and physical appearances that display confidence.
• Building self-confidence through dress and self-presentation.
• Building a good delivery habit (what are the bad habits to avoid).

15h00 – 15h30

ALL 

15h30

DAY 2: THURSDAY, 30 JANUARY 2025

Session 1
SESSION CHAIR: Hon. DR Ryder, MP 
House Chairperson: Committees

Time

Presenter(s) 

08h30 – 10h00

ALL

10h00 – 10h20

Voting Procedure in the House 

• Voting by individual delegates
• Voting by Provinces
• Voting Procedure (bills, committee reports, international agreements, etc.)
• Declarations of vote
• Demand and procedure for divisions.
• Points of order during division.
• Confusion or error during division (correction).

10h20 – 11h00

ALL 

11h00 – 11h20

Role of the NCOP in section 139 and section 100 interventions

• Analysis of the implementation of constitutional provisions (brief presentation).
• Constitutional provisions.
• Applicable rules.
• Substantive and procedural requirements.
• Application of constitutional timelines by the Select Committee.

11h20 – 11h45

ALL 

11h45 – 12h00

Parliamentary Budget Processes

• Outline of cycle.
• Requirements in terms of the Money Bills Act, time limits.
• DORB, DORAB in the context of the Money Bills Act.
• Participation of provincial legislatures in the DORB/AB.
• Public involvement processes.
• Link with SONA, Budget Speech by Minister, Adjustment Appropriation Bill.

12h00 – 12h30

ALL

12h30 – 13h30

ALL

The Role of Parliamentary Diplomacy in Deepening Dialogue, Partnership and Co-operation

• Outlining Parliament’s objectives in participation in international relations activities including multilateral and bilateral engagements, international forums and organisations.

Members Support

• Available learning and development. opportunities for Members of Parliament
• Bursary opportunities and the role of the Bursary Committee.
• Available academic programmes offered by institutions of higher education and training in partnership with Parliament.

• Media support to committees / Chairpersons of Committees.
• Communication support i.e. press statements, press alerts, etc.