11 September 2007
A heavy atmosphere of positive anticipation hangs over both Parliament and
the rural Eastern Cape town of Mbizana this week as the institution prepares to
trek to the eastern frontier of the country for a historic few days in the
area.
The People's Assembly sitting, as the initiative has come to be known, a
joint initiative between the Parliament, the provincial government and the
local authority in the district and municipality, is scheduled to start on
Monday.
The focus areas for this year's People's Assembly include: the eradication
of extreme poverty and hunger, combating HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases,
and ensuring environmental sustainability.
The activity marks a further roll out of Parliament's Masijule Ngengxoxo
Mzansi (Let's deepen the debate South Africa) theme, aimed at livening up and
broadening the political space and generating vibrancy and meaningfulness in
the South African political dialogue.
Committees of Parliament working within the identified areas will be
deployed in advance to conduct oversight visits in the area. A community
meeting was held earlier to inform the residents of the approach and
preparations.
This year's People's Assembly will be the fourth of its kind. Since the
first assembly, the annual exercise has mutated and evolved and has taken up a
political character which makes it an integral part of the political programme
of Parliament.
At the beginning the initiative was understood to be an event taking place
in the traditional seat of Parliament in Cape Town. While the provincial
legislatures have always been part of the concept, the highlight was on the
Cape Town event.
Since that time, the concept has undergone refinement. Not only has it
become part of Parliament's oversight activities and the public participation
programme it has also led to a larger pool of South Africans who have first
hand contact with Members of Parliament and the People's Parliament. Committee
work, interaction with communities and political work by the respective
provincial legislatures have all become standard features.
Oversight is Parliament's main reason for existence second to law-making. At
the heart of oversight is the requirement to establish that development, as
provided for in the legislation, does take place, that it is relevant to the
situation on the ground, and that it is making a difference.
In instances where this is not the case it is incumbent upon Parliament to
determine the nature of whatever the challenges are, determine and make
recommendations to the Executive on how these could be unblocked and dealt with
and report back to the community. To achieve these objectives in any meaningful
way, a partnership with the people and a good understanding of the situation on
the ground as well as the community dynamics is a prerequisite. It is in this
light that Parliament views the Peopleâs Assembly concept.
Mbizana is a significant constituency with immense opportunities for all
political parties. This is where Oliver Reginald Tambo was born. The district
was named after this son of the people.
When the parliamentarians from all over the country converge in Mbizana this
coming weekend, they will reflect on eradicating poverty and underdevelopment,
health, public participation, and the fact that South Africa belongs to all who
live in it, united in diversity.
Participants will include Members of Parliament, Ministers of government,
traditional leaders, special guests, members of the public, civil society
groups from the District, as well as parliamentary officials. As usual, on the
last day, there will be a live satellite broadcast on South African
Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
The idea of a People's Parliament is the common ground which unifies the
sometimes fierce political debates in Parliament. The People's Assembly
provides for an important highlight our unity of purpose as we build a
prosperous nation.
Enquiries:
Luzuko Jacobs
Cell: 082 906 1438
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
11 September 2007
