National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has made a plea for strengthened capacity of South Africa’s legislative sector to defend democracy and ensure effective service delivery to citizens.

Addressing the Speakers’ Forum of South Africa in Pretoria, she highlighted the importance of improving transparency and accountability, and promoting citizen participation, all viewed as part of efforts to develop good governance and safeguard democracy in the country.

Other notable contributors to the Forum included Institutions Supporting Democracy (ISD) chairperson Dr Nombeko Mbava and Public Service Commission commissioner Dr Somadoda Fikeni. Both impressed upon participants an urgent need for better collaboration and complementary oversight by the ISD.

“Part of the solution is honest conversations and the formulation of mechanisms to ensure a better rate of implementing the ISD recommendations aimed at addressing many development challenges facing the country,” they said.

In regard to fostering effective oversight, strengthening relations between Parliament and provincial legislatures has been tabled, through the holding of joint induction programmes for Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Legislatures, in collaboration with ISD.

An appraisal of the funding model has been proposed to ensure that the ISD is able to execute its mandate and ensure the effectiveness of these institutions.

European Union Ambassador to South Africa Sandra Kramer hailed the collaboration between the legislatures as a solid foundation to ensure Parliament delivers on its mandate of citizen participation and oversight.

The Speakers’ Forum will conclude its programme today.