Parly constituting its committees

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Parliament - Parliament's National Assembly is currently in the process of formally constituting its committees and electing chairpersons.

The National Council of Provinces' (NCOP) committees are expected to get together early next week.

"By the end of next week, they will hit the ground running," said Speaker of Parliament Max Sisulu at a press briefing in Cape Town on Thursday.

This follows the election of Jacob Zuma as South Africa's President and the establishment of the fourth Parliament on 6 May.

Mr Sisulu said that Parliament's leaders were determined to make a success of the fourth Parliament by entrenching its relevance and role in society.

"We are aware of the hopes and dreams of the millions of South Africans who place their confidence in our democracy and who in their numbers expressed themselves in favour of growth and development. To them we are accountable and we shall not fail them."

Mr Sisulu said Parliament had a vital role to play in deepening and broadening democracy through its role in lawmaking, overseeing the Executive and facilitating public participation in its work.

He said the Fourth Parliament intended to build on what the first three Parliaments achieved and also take on new challenges and ensure greater public participation.

Chairperson of the NCOP, Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, said another priority would be its oversight function as well as public participation. "We aim to ensure that people feel they are participating in Parliament programmes."

President Zuma will deliver his State of the Nation Address next week, which will inform not only Parliament's work, but government's Programme of Action.