SPEAKER MAPISA-NQAKULA CALLS FOR CAPACITY STRENGTHENING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SECTOR
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has called for the strengthening of the capacity of the South African Legislative Sector in order to defend democracy and ensure effective service delivery to the people.
She said that by enhancing and measuring qualitative, impact-driven oversight, improving transparency and accountability and promoting citizen participation the Sector can effectively promote good governance and safeguard democracy in South Africa.
She was addressing the Speakers’ Forum of South Africa (SFSA) which is currently holding a two-day meeting in Pretoria, Gauteng Province.
Also addressing the Forum on complementary oversight of Parliament, Provincial Legislatures and Institutions Supporting Democracy(ISD), the Chairperson of the ISD Forum Dr Nombeko Mbava together with Public Service Commissioner Dr. Somadoda Fikeni expressed an urgent need for better collaboration and complementary oversight by the ISDs.
They said it had been evident over the years that all these sectors are interdependent, and it was important for them to develop integrated mechanisms that would ensure that they work in an effective and complimentary manner.
They also highlighted the frustrations facing the ISDs which included the low rate of implementation of recommendations made by some of the institutions.
They added that part of the solution is honest conversations and the formulation of mechanisms to ensure a better rate of implementing the ISD recommendations aimed at addressing many development challenges facing the country.
They proposed, among others, holding of joint induction programmes for Members of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures in collaboration with ISDs to strengthen relations and collaboration between Parliament and the Provincial Legislatures towards effective oversight.
Reviewing the current funding model to ensure that all ISDs are adequately funded to execute their mandate also came out as a mechanism that could assist in ensuring the effectiveness of these institutions.
Also addressing the Speakers’ Forum was the European Union Ambassador to SA, Ms Sandra Kramer. She praised the levels of collaboration between the legislatures as a solid foundation to raise parliament’s delivery on its mandate of citizen participation and oversight.
The Speakers’ Forum will wrap-up its programme today. The forum is a decision-making body which oversees management and coordination of legislative sector programmes and it is made up by Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces and the Speakers and Deputy Speakers of all nine Provincial Legislatures.
Source: Parliament of South Africa