Taking Parliament to the People Is a Key Instrument of Accountability and Participatory Democracy – NCOP Chair

Officially opening the Taking Parliament to the People sitting in the North West province, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, emphasised that the programme is more than an oversight exercise; it is a key instrument of accountability and participation democracy.

Addressing hundreds of citizens from the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality gathered at the Spirit Word Church in Matlosana, she said the programme also provides an important platform for the public to directly interact with their elected representatives and hold them accountable.

"The programme remains a necessary instrument at the disposal of our communities - deepening democracy, enhancing accountability and strengthening public participation. It is not merely an oversight exercise; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to participatory democracy and accountability," she said.

The theme for this year's programme is: "Ensuring a people-centred local government towards building better communities".

The NCOP Chairperson reminded members of the public that when the Taking Parliament to the People programme began, in 2002, it was aimed at enhancing public participation by ensuring direct interaction between Parliament and communities, thereby fostering greater awareness and deepening participation. "It enables Members of Parliament, MPLs and municipal councilor to engage directly with communities, assessing the day-to-day social experience as they impact on social wellbeing.

"Through this programme, Parliament can ensure the refashioning of a closer interrelation between the executive in government and ordinary people on the ground," said the Chairperson.

She also outlined the programme for the week, which will include public hearings, oversight visits and responses from ministers, MECs and mayors.

The NCOP, according to the Chairperson, has identified service delivery challenges in the North West province, which includes a high number of indigent households and declining access to basic services, such as water, sanitation, electricity, and refuse removal. Other challenges include persistent water outages and inadequate waste management, especially in rural areas, and severe infrastructure deterioration, especially poor road conditions.

These realities call for a more renewed and focused intervention and the Taking Parliament to the People programme is the right platform for the facilitation of immediate and long-term interventions.

The Speaker of North West Provincial Legislature, Dr Desbo Mohono, echoed this sentiments, saying that the programme is one of the best tools of democracy and accountability. "We are excited that you have decided to bring this programme to our province, giving members of the public the opportunity to speak their elected representatives and hold them accountable which makes this programme one of the best tools of democracy," she said.

The provincial Speaker also acknowledged that although much has been achieved over the past thirty years, much still has to be done. In addition to service delivery backlogs, she said, the Kenneth Kaunda District also faces challenges of crime and illegal mining activities.

The Taking Parliament to the People programme will culminate with the President's annual address to the NCOP on Friday.

Sakhile Mokoena
12 May 2026