NCOP Taking Parliament to the People Programme strengthens public participation and local government accountability in North West Province
The National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) Taking Parliament to the People programme officially took place in the City of Matlosana, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, from 12–15 May 2026 under the theme “Ensuring a People-Centred Local Government Towards Building Better Communities.”
During the official opening on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, the Chairperson of the NCOP, Hon. Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane highlighted that the programme was established to strengthen participatory democracy by bringing Parliament closer to communities and ensuring that citizens directly engage with public representatives on service delivery challenges. The Chairperson emphasised that the programme seeks to deepen accountability, strengthen oversight, and improve cooperation between all spheres of government. Key concerns identified in the North West included water shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, poor waste management, housing backlogs, unemployment, and pressure on healthcare services.
The Premier of the North West Province, Hon. Kagiso Lazarus Mokgosi reaffirmed the province’s commitment to improving local government through initiatives such as Thuntsa Lerole and the Provincial Local Government Kgotha-Kgothe. The Premier outlined ongoing interventions aimed at strengthening municipalities, improving financial management, reducing irregular expenditure, addressing blocked housing projects, and improving the delivery of basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity, and roads. The Premier further stressed the importance of cooperation with traditional leaders and restoring public confidence in municipalities.
The Hon. Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Dr. Desbo Mohono welcomed the NCOP programme as a demonstration of constitutional democracy and public accountability. The Speaker emphasised that Parliament must remain accessible to communities and responsive to the daily realities faced by citizens, including crime, illegal mining, unemployment, poor infrastructure, and service delivery challenges. The Speaker further noted that the North West Provincial Legislature integrated its oversight programme into the NCOP activities to ensure continuous monitoring and implementation of resolutions arising from the engagements.
The programme culminated on Friday, 15 May 2026, with President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering the annual address to the NCOP plenary sitting at Spirit Word Church in Stilfontein. In his address, the President underscored the importance of participatory democracy and reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring that communities remain at the centre of governance and decision-making processes. He highlighted that local government remains the “engine room” of service delivery and development, responsible for ensuring access to water, sanitation, electricity, roads, healthcare services, and economic opportunities.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged the serious challenges confronting municipalities across the country, including infrastructure deterioration, water shortages, poor governance, corruption, and weak accountability systems. He emphasised that government is implementing reforms aimed at professionalising local government, strengthening consequence management, improving financial oversight, and enhancing coordination between national, provincial, and local government spheres.
The President further announced government’s continued focus on infrastructure development and investment, including plans to strengthen water infrastructure, modernise municipalities through digitisation, and improve service delivery systems. He called on communities, business, civil society, and traditional leadership to work together with government in rebuilding capable municipalities that are responsive, transparent, and accountable to the people.
President Ramaphosa concluded by urging all public representatives to ensure that the concerns raised during the Taking Parliament to the People programme translate into practical interventions and measurable improvements in the lives of communities, reaffirming that government must continue working to restore public trust and deepen democracy through active citizen participation.
Enquiries:
Media Liaison Officer - Communications
Kabo Letlhogela
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E-mail: kabol@nwpl.org.za
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