Thousands of people attend opening of the NCOP’s taking Parliament to the people programme in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape
People of Eden District Municipality came in numbers to attend the first day of the week-long (13 to 17 April 2015) Taking Parliament to the People programme at the Bridgton Sports Grounds in Oudtshoorn.
Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of the Provinces (NCOP), Mr Raseriti Tau, addressing about 3 000 people of the Eden District said: “we are gathered here in Oudtshoorn, during a very important historical time of our developmental state. We have just surpassed the 20th year of our democratic Parliament, which is a milestone in our historic journey, to build a truly democratic and socially unified nation.”
Mr Tau spoke at length about the preliminary work that the NCOP has conducted in the Eden District in preparation for this five-day programme. “We started working in this district several months ago. The aim was to ensure that we listen to the people to ensure that when we come here this week we are relevant and we are able to deal with the issues that affect them.”
The NCOP conducted wide-ranging onsite research in the District and the City of Cape Town followed by preliminary visits by its various committees. The preparations were concluded with a public meeting in George last month to hear the public and to discuss the agenda for this week.
Mayor of the Eden District Municipality, Mr Wessie van der Westhuizen welcomed the NCOP in Eden: “This is indeed a historic week for us in the Eden District. The importance of this week cannot be underestimated as it will afford our people the opportunity to voice their concerns.”
“We confess, we desperately need NCOP as a partner, more so we need you as a mentor. We promise we will not stand aside and wait for hand-outs...we want to work together with you to better the lives of our people.”
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Western Cape Chairperson, Mr Demetri Qually said “while local government has seen progress in terms of improved access to services, the NCOP, in cooperation with SALGA, can play a significant part in addressing some of the more fundamental issues impacting service delivery.
“It is important to find the right balance between compliance and service delivery. Excessive legislation, regulation and reporting requirements are having a negative impact on municipalities. We are very pleased that the NCOP is willing to take an active role in addressing these legislative, regulatory and reporting constraints which SALGA is currently documenting.”
Mr Tau said these issues were receiving attention: “According to reports we have received so far, these matters are being attended to at different stages. The relevant Ministers, MECs and Mayors will, during the course of the week, give us progress reports in response to all concerns raised and challenges identified. As the legislature we will follow up on the developments or lack thereof.”
The Taking Parliament to the People programme brings all spheres of government - national, provincial and local government together in one place. “Beyond the engagements of this week we will continue to use oversight and accountability mechanisms at our disposal, in order to ensure that the undertakings which are made here are indeed adhered to,” Mr Tau concluded.
Media wishing to attend should forward their details for accreditation to Manelisi Ntsodo at mntsodo@parliament.gov.za or on 083 985 7047
Details required are: Full name, ID/passport number, name of media organisation and media group, designation (writer, photographer, for example), telephone number, and cell phone number.
