South Africa’s Parliament plays a big role in protecting social rights like healthcare, education, and gender equality. It watches over the government to make sure these services are fair and reach everyone, including vulnerable groups and migrants. Through open talks and tough laws, Parliament works hard to fix old problems and build trust with the people. Leaders from different committees share their stories and plans to keep South Africa moving toward a future where everyone is treated with respect and fairness.
What is the role of Parliament in safeguarding social rights in South Africa?
Parliament oversees social rights by ensuring government accountability, reforming healthcare, education, and gender equality policies, and fostering public engagement. Its committees address challenges like healthcare access, education inclusion, and gender-based violence to protect the rights and dignity of all South Africans.
The Evolving Role of Parliament in Social Services
South Africa’s Parliament holds a pivotal place in the country’s journey toward justice and equality. It functions not only as the architect of new laws but also as a vigilant watchdog, ensuring government accountability. The seventh Parliament faces mounting challenges and expectations as it oversees vital social services, reflecting both the nation’s progress and its persistent inequities.
Recent developments have placed social service oversight committees under intensified scrutiny. Political shifts, public frustration, and demands for greater transparency shape their current work. These committees, working within and outside the formal chambers, grapple daily with questions of accessibility, fairness, and the legacy of historical injustice.
On 21 August 2025, the Good Hope Chamber became the epicenter of this ongoing drama. Four key committee chairpersons met with the media, not just to present their latest findings, but to respond directly to the public’s most pressing concerns. Their engagement underscored Parliament’s commitment to openness and its willingness to confront controversy head-on.
Defending Healthcare Access in Times of Unrest
Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, who leads the Portfolio Committee on Health, knows well the deep scars left by decades of unequal healthcare. The current crisis, stoked by Operation Dudula’s disruptive actions, brings fresh pain to communities already struggling for basic access. This movement, known for blocking foreign nationals from public clinics, has reignited old debates about belonging and rights in the nation’s healthcare system.
Dr Dhlomo speaks with the authority of experience. He shares stories of mothers sent away from hospitals, their children’s needs unmet because they lack the proper documents. Such incidents revive memories of exclusion from the past, highlighting how far the country still needs to go. For Dr Dhlomo, public health by nature must include every person within its boundaries – citizen and foreign national alike.
To address these challenges, Dr Dhlomo and his committee have focused on legislative reforms. He updates the media on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, designed to curb new health hazards while reaffirming the country’s commitment to equal treatment. The committee’s work aims to make the promise of healthcare in the Constitution a reality for all who live in South Africa.
Navigating the Complexities of Education and Migration
Education stands as both a battleground and a bridge in South Africa’s transformation. Mr Makhi Feni, chairing the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries, faces a daunting task. Operation Dudula’s rhetoric has spilled over into schools, threatening to exclude children of foreign nationals and sow division among young learners.
Mr Feni draws attention to the real impact on families. During a recent school visit, he listened as teachers described their fears for students’ safety and well-being. Intimidation from activists has disrupted classrooms and eroded trust among parents and teachers alike. Mr Feni insists that schools should serve as sites of integration, fostering understanding rather than exclusion.
The committee’s response involves more than condemnation. Mr Feni outlines ongoing dialogue with civil society groups, including parent associations and child welfare experts. He highlights new government policies on labor migration and border management, designed to regulate movement while defending vulnerable children’s rights. Public forums, he believes, play an essential role in informing balanced, compassionate policymaking.
Reforming Basic Education for a New Era
Ms Joy Maimela’s leadership of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education comes at a crucial juncture. The Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA) marks a significant intervention in the country’s educational landscape. Two new regulations, now open for public comment, address the complex issues of school admissions and classroom capacity.
Ms Maimela recognizes the challenge. She has witnessed firsthand the struggles of rural schools to accommodate growing enrollments while maintaining quality. She recalls seeing students sharing tattered books and crowded desks, but also the immense dedication of teachers who refuse to give up on their pupils. For Ms Maimela, the regulations are more than bureaucratic tweaks; they represent a pledge to every child, regardless of background, that education will remain a fundamental right.
Engagement with the public is central to these reforms. Ms Maimela encourages parents, teachers, and students to review the proposed changes and share their insights. Their feedback will shape the regulations and, by extension, the future of South African education. She sees this process as an opportunity to build trust and foster genuine partnership between Parliament and the people.
Championing Gender Equality and Protecting the Vulnerable
Ms Liezl van der Merwe, who chairs the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, brings a sense of urgency to her work. Gender-based violence and statutory rape top her agenda, demanding immediate and sustained action. Parliament, under her guidance, has launched a formal inquiry into the systemic failures that allow such crimes to persist with impunity.
Ms van der Merwe references a recent Constitutional Court ruling that exposed weaknesses in the process for appointing Commissioners to the Commission for Gender Equality. She acknowledges the need for deeper transparency and more robust public participation. For Ms van der Merwe, the legitimacy of oversight institutions depends on their openness and responsiveness to the people they serve.
Her committee also advances the work of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence. Regular meetings with survivors and advocacy groups ensure that policy solutions reflect lived realities. By transforming personal stories of trauma into legislative action, Ms van der Merwe and her colleagues seek to drive real, lasting change across society.
Building Trust Through Open Engagement
These recent initiatives form part of a broader strategy to enhance transparency and public involvement. Parliament’s Committee Cluster Media Engagement Programme exemplifies this new approach. By bringing committee leaders into direct contact with journalists and citizens, it aims to break down barriers and foster accountability.
Parliament invites the public to participate in debates, follow its work online, and even visit its historic buildings. These opportunities encourage a culture of engagement, turning observers into active participants in the democratic process. In doing so, Parliament honors the legacy of those who fought for open governance and inclusivity in South Africa’s past.
Oversight committees today act much like careful restorers, repairing damaged institutions and preserving hard-won rights. Their work demands vigilance, creativity, and constant dialogue with the communities they serve.
Lessons for South Africa and Beyond
The South African experience offers valuable lessons for other societies grappling with similar challenges. Countries such as those in Scandinavia have demonstrated that transparency and open oversight can reinforce social cohesion and trust in public institutions. South Africa’s own history – marked by truth commissions and public inquiries – underscores the importance of making accountability processes visible and accessible.
The intersection of migration, education, healthcare, and gender rights creates a complex landscape. Parliament’s oversight committees, by weaving together diverse perspectives and experiences, help South Africa move closer to the ideals enshrined in its Constitution. Their efforts remind all citizens that democracy requires ongoing attention, participation, and courage.
Charting the Path Forward
As the committee chairs return to their daily work, the decisions made in Parliament continue to shape lives across the country. Journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens carry these stories forward, driving debate and inspiring action. The ongoing work of oversight embodies the nation’s collective hope for a future defined by inclusion, fairness, and respect for all.
Inside Parliament’s historic walls, the process of building and protecting democracy goes on. Each committee meeting, public hearing, and policy review represents another step toward fulfilling the promise of freedom and dignity for every South African. The journey may be long and demanding, but the vision remains clear – a society where rights are real, and every voice matters.
What role does South Africa’s Parliament play in protecting social rights?
South Africa’s Parliament is crucial in safeguarding social rights such as healthcare, education, and gender equality. It oversees government actions to ensure these services are fair and accessible to all, including vulnerable groups and migrants. Parliament creates and reforms laws, engages with the public, and holds the government accountable to uphold the dignity and rights of every citizen.
How is Parliament addressing healthcare access amidst social unrest?
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health, led by Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, confronts challenges like disruptions caused by movements such as Operation Dudula, which targets foreign nationals’ access to public clinics. The committee focuses on legislative reforms, including the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, to promote equitable healthcare access. Their goal is to ensure healthcare services are inclusive of all residents, regardless of nationality or documentation status.
What challenges does Parliament face regarding education and migration issues?
Operation Dudula’s anti-migrant rhetoric has affected schools, threatening to exclude children of foreign nationals and disrupt learning environments. The Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries, chaired by Mr Makhi Feni, engages with civil society and implements policies to balance migration control with protecting children’s rights. Parliament promotes schools as inclusive spaces where diversity is respected and social cohesion is strengthened.
What reforms are being made to South Africa’s basic education system?
Under Ms Joy Maimela’s leadership, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education is advancing the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA). This includes new regulations on school admissions and classroom capacity to address overcrowding and resource shortages, especially in rural areas. Public participation is encouraged to shape these reforms, reflecting Parliament’s commitment to quality education for every child regardless of background.
How is Parliament tackling gender-based violence and protecting vulnerable groups?
Ms Liezl van der Merwe’s Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities focuses on combating gender-based violence and statutory rape through inquiries and policy development. The committee works closely with survivors, advocacy groups, and institutions like the Commission for Gender Equality to improve transparency and accountability. Their efforts aim to transform personal trauma into effective legislative solutions for lasting social change.
How does Parliament engage the public to build trust and accountability?
Parliament has implemented the Committee Cluster Media Engagement Programme, which brings committee leaders into direct dialogue with journalists and citizens. This initiative promotes transparency by inviting public participation in debates, policy reviews, and visits to Parliament. Such open engagement fosters a culture of accountability and helps restore trust between the government and South African society.
