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The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Amos Masondo told Soweto Residents that the Parliamentary Constituency Offices (PCOs) are service and interaction points for public representatives to remain in contact with the people they represent.

Mr Masondo launched his newly remodelled PCO at Entokozweni Community Centre in Moletsane in Soweto today. The launch is part of Parliament’s Mandela Day goodwill activities and outreach programme to communities needing developmental interventions to improve the quality of their lives.
 
“Today’s activity represents the opening of a new chapter to improve the orientation of PCOs and their value to the communities. It is a small but significant step that must see us agreeing on what will constitute an ideal PCO, and on how to work collaboratively to achieve that”, Mr Masondo said.
 
Mr Masondo said, amongst others, PCOs are meant to provide a point of leadership interaction with the community. Mr Masondo’s Audio: https://iono.fm/e/1206294
 
PCOs are designed to provide a platform to educate and empower people with information, and on how to take part in processes pertaining to how they are governed. They are part of a structural framework developed to enable Members of Parliament to engage people in an unmediated dialogue on their concerns and aspirations.
 
Mr Masondo explained that, over the years, there have been many efforts and ideas on how the PCOs could be strengthened. “One of the innovative ways of equipping the PCOs to meaningfully discharge their services was bringing the representatives from national parliament, the provincial legislature, and the municipal council, under one roof and in communication with the people,” he said.
 
“We do not have perfect solutions, and we do not believe there are. Our attitude is that improvement can result from taking one step in the right direction, learning from the impact of one’s action, and using that to make further improvements as one moves forward,” he continued.
 
The remodelling of PCOs came as a result of an extensive consultation with the members of the public on how they would want Parliament to serve them better. “Having learnt from the feedback derived through surveys of the views of the members of the public and the stakeholders, Parliament revised its approach to public participation and placed at the centre the reimagining, repurposing and remodelling of PCOs,” Mr Masondo said.
 
“This is in order to enable the PCOs to truly serve as our extension offices that are accessible and alive with activities that advance our democracy,” he added.
 
The launch of Mr Masondo's PCO is part of the ongoing implementation plan. Sections 59 and 72 of the Constitution enjoin Parliament to promote public access to and meaningful participation in parliamentary processes and activities to strengthen South Africa's participatory democracy and help accelerate the development of the people.

The launch of the remodelled office in Soweto follows the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s launch in Makanda in April. Parliament plans to roll out a programme for all Constituency Offices.
 
The Chairperson of the NCOP also participated in the Nelson Mandela Day activities, through greening and tree-planting campaign at Dr. Vilakazi High School in Soweto, in collaboration with the City of Johannesburg earlier today. The activities included the planting of trees, painting and cleaning of the school.

Issued by the Parliament of South Africa