Mr Amos Masondo - NCOP Chairperson of the NCOP is to ensure Mr Masondo said the No one can that the provincial importance of working interests are taken into together to build claim innocence account in the national coherence in support sphere of government. of local government, when the AG is foregrounded by the The House is also location of municipalities charged with the task in the cooperative makes a critical of making sure that, government scheme. through organised In this regard, he said observation local government, section 154 (1) of the space is provided Constitution clearly about serious for the participation stipulates that the of local government national government and weaknesses in representatives in its provincial governments, proceedings.” by legislative and other the financial measures, must support He added: “Over the and strengthen the management of years we have come to capacity of municipalities realise the importance to manage their own local government of this arrangement. As affairs, to exercise their such, there has been powers and to perform – NCOP agreement that their their functions. non-voting status should Chairperson be changed to enable It is important to note them to vote in the that in designing these NCOP, and thus form measures, national and an integral part of the provincial governments In his opening remarks Mr Amos Masondo, decision-making process. are required to consult on the occasion of the prefaced his remarks Some would argue that the municipalities. opening of the National on highlighting the we still need to consider Specifically, section Council of Provinces’ constitutional mandate this recommendation 154(2) of the (NCOP’s) 2020 Local of the NCOP. and to find innovative Constitution provides as Government Week, the He said: “The ways of ensuring that it follows: Chairperson of the NCOP, constitutional mandate becomes a reality.” “Draft national or 1 provincial legislation to strengthen that affects the status, NCOP is the anchor accountability. This institutions, powers year, in particular, or functions of local of the system places on our shoulders government must be a greater responsibility published for public of cooperative in light of allegations comment before it is and reports of introduced in Parliament mismanagement of the or in a provincial governance Covid-19 relief funds. legislature, in a manner Our single-mindedness that allows organised as Members of local government, Another key strategic provincial and local Parliament representing municipalities and other mechanism initiated stewards of service different provinces interested persons an by the NCOP (National delivery, the NCOP’s defines our party opportunity to make Council of Provinces) House Chairperson political affiliations representations with for the broadening responsible for as we go to greater regard to the draft and diversification of committees, Mr Jomo lengths in standing on legislation.” the means of linkage Nyambi, said: “The onset the side of our people. with the provinces, of the Provincial Week “There are no holy Given its character and was the Provincial brings with it a lot of cows here as we want design, Mr Masondo Week Programme. excitement as we look to leave a lasting said: “The NCOP is better The programme was forward to a week of legacy for our people. placed to facilitate initiated in the 2nd intensive engagements Due to time constraints, cooperative government Parliament during the to improve accountability we’ll only visit a few in a manner that allows chairpersonship tenure within municipalities in municipalities in each local government to of Dr Naledi Pandor, our different provinces.” province, but that is receive the necessary to solicit provincial He described the not the end of the support in order to interests and to ensure programme as an story. Our committees be able to perform its that provincial delegates important oversight tool continue to do their functions effectively.” to the NCOP keep abreast at “our disposal”. He work and it’s laudable of developments, as said the delegations to see the amount Based on that, he well as service delivery go into the programme of work done even said: “We therefore challenges facing their armed with resolutions under the current cannot, for lack of provinces. from the 2020 Local circumstances. a better expression, Asked by the Provincial Government Week “Lastly, we’re claim innocence, when Week News Bulletin and the Auditor- impressing on every the Auditor-General writers to share his General’s Municipal one of our Members to (AG) makes the critical expectations about the Audit outcomes with a adhere to regulations observation that over impact of the 2020 view to strengthening as they pertain during the past three years programme on the governance. level one, hence there have been serious accountability of the He said: “As I said, the plan to conduct weaknesses in the financial management of local government.” Mr Jomo Nyambi - House Chairperson 2 hybrid visits in some municipalities.” Faces of Provincial Whips: AIMS OF THE PROVINCIAL WEEK PROGRAMME IN BRIEF The main aim of the programme includes, among other things, • To ensure that provincial delegates to Ms Nokuzola Ndongeni, Provincial Whip – Eastern Cape Mr Itumeleng Ntsube - Provincial Whip - Free the NCOP keep in touch State with developments and challenges facing their provinces; • To accord delegates to the NCOP an opportunity to interact with their respective provinces and report on their activities in the NCOP with the Mr Mohammed Dangor, Provincial Whip – Gauteng Ms Lindiwe Bebee, Provincial Whip – KwaZulu-Natal aim of obtaining new mandates on issues to be placed on the national agenda; • To provide a forum for the exchange and sharing of ideas around service delivery issues and challenges facing the provinces in Ms Mmamamora Mamaregane, Provincial Whip – Ms Audrey Maleka, Provincial Whip – Mpumalanga fulfilling their roles; Limpopo and • To create an opportunity for the NCOP and provinces to work together in seeking solutions and developing new ways to address the challenges facing Ms Martha Bartlet - Provincial Whip - Northern Mr Eric Landsman, Provincial Whip – North West local government, and Cape ensuring that the local government sphere responds adequately to the mandate of delivering services to communities. The week-long programme includes: Ms Cathlene Labuschagne, Provincial Whip – 3 Western Cape Provincial Delegations EASTERN CAPE FREE STATE GAUTENG KWAZULU NATAL Mr Mandla Rayi Mr Seiso Joel Mohai – NCOP Chief Mr Amos Masondo – Chairperson - Mr Enoch Muzi Mthethwa Whip NCOP Ms Zukiswa Ncitha Ms Moji Moshodi Ms Winnie Ngwenya Mr Yunus Carrim Mr Zolani Mkiva Mr Armand Benjamin Mr Mbulelo Richmond Bara Mr Timothy James Brauteseth Mr Mlindi Nhanha Mr George Michalakis Mr Dennis Richard Ryder Ms S’lindile Luthuli Mr Thembinkosi Apleni Mr Moletsane Simon Moletsane Mr Kenny Motsamai Mr Simon Ezra Mfayela 4 LIMPOPO MPUMALANGA NORTHERN CAPE Mr Mamagase Nchabeleng Ms Dikeledi Mahlangu Ms Sylvia Lucas Ms Delmaine Chesley Christians NORTH WEST Ms Shahidabibi Shaikh Ms Hildegard Boshoff Mr Bekizwe Nkosi Mr Thamsanqa Dodovu Mr Tshitereke Baldwin Mr Sam Zandamela Mr Kenneth Mmoiemang Ms Tebogo Modise Mr Christiaan Smit Ms Nomgqibelo Nkosi Ms Mmabatho Mokause Ms Seneanye Lehihi Ms Brenda Mathevula Mr Archibold Jomo Nyambi – Mr Willem Aucamp Ms Carin Visser House Chairperson Committees 5 Mr Stephanus Du Toit Ms Maurencia Gillion WESTERN CAPE Mr Isaac Mbulelo Sileku Mr Andrew Arnolds Ms Cathlene Labuschagne NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES PROVINCIAL WEEK Mr Johan Londt Mr Edward Zoyisile Njandu 6 PROVINCIAL WEEK PROGRAMME THEME: Ensuring Capable and Financially Sound The provincial Municipality Municipality NORTH WEST delegations are going • Mangaung Metropolitan • Amajuba District to be briefed by the Municipality Municipality • Bojana Local MECs responsible for • uThukela District Municipality human settlements on GAUTENG Municipality • Maquassi Hills Local the extent to which the Municipality National and Provincial • City of Tshwane LIMPOPO • Naledi Local spheres of government Metropolitan Municipality support the identified Municipality • Thabazimbi Local • Malukeng Local Municipalities as • Sedibeng District Municipality Municipality well as the mayors Municipality • Modimolle- on the performance • Emfuleni Local Mookgophong Local WESTERN CAPE of the municipality. Municipality Municipality The briefings will be • Mogalakwana Local • Kannanaland Local followed by site visits KWAZULU-NATAL Municipality Municipality at the identified service delivery sites. • Umzinyathi District MPUMALANGA The identified Municipality municipalities are: • Ethekwini Metropolitan • Emalahleni Local Municipality Municipality EASTERN CAPE • Umgungundlovu District • Lekwa Local Municipality Municipality • Nelson Mandela • Ugu District • Govern Mbeki Local Metropolitan Municipality Municipality Municipality. • Harry Gwala District • Makana Local Municipality NORTHERN CAPE Municipality. • ILembe District Municipality • Joe-Morolong Local FREE STATE • King Cetywayo District Municipality Municipality • Phokwane Local • Matsjabeng Local • Umkhangakude District Municipality Municipality Municipality • Dikatlong Local • Maluti-A-Phofung Local • Zululand District Municipality 7.