GAUTENG: SALGA President Cllr Bheke Stofile addressed the SALGA Induction for nominated representatives to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and Provincial Legislatures at Birchwood Conference Centre, Boksburg

Posted: 25 March 2022

SALGA President Cllr Bheke Stofile says the SALGA nominated representatives to the NCOP and Provincial Legislatures were entering a journey that previous Presidents such as Thembi Nkadimeng, Parks Tau, and Thabo Manyoni, to mention just a few, have laid a foundation for the transformation of local government.

Speaking during the rollout of the induction for SALGA Nominated Representatives to the NCOP and Provincial Legislatures which was held on 22-24 March 2022, Cllr Stofile welcomed the honourable members for embracing the added responsibility above being councillors and wished them well in representing local government in various legislative processes across the country.

The cohort consists of Executive Mayors, Speakers, Chief Whips, MMCs, and Councillors.

SALGA Chief Operations Officer, Lance Joel said:  "the SALGA Induction is not only about educating NCOP and Prov Legislature nominees about SALGA but also about the broader functioning of Government, separation of powers to ensure that they become effective is executing their roles and resposnsibilites".

The Organised Local Government Act is mandated by section 67 of the Constitution (1996) to designate not more than 10 part-time representatives to represent municipalities in the proceedings of the NCOP.  SALGA is recognised in terms of Section 2 of the Organised Local Government Act as a representative body of organised local government.

The nominees were treated to a practical Media Training on the functions of Parliamentary Media as an attempt to help them understand the role of the media and how to make the best of media engagements and opportunities, including media interviews. The NCOP Secretariat also participated to orientate SALGA nominees on the mandate and core functions of the NCOP and how these are executed, as well as opportunities for SALGA participation.

Rules of some of the Provincial Legislatures make provision for SALGA participation in the legislature processes.  The Secretariat of Gauteng and Mpumalanga Provincial Legislatures also presented at the induction, highlighting avenues for SALGA participation.