Transformative Restructuring of the Committees within the National Council of Provinces

The transformative restructuring of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) during its inaugural meeting in 2024 consolidated Select Committees from eleven to ten and formed a Subcommittee on the Review of the Council Rules and Programming Committee of the 7th Parliament. The Select Committees act as the “engine room” for provincial matters and the Council’s overall function, while the NCOP plays a fundamental role in safeguarding provincial interests within Parliament. The restructuring aims to enhance efficiency and oversight over different government departments, propelling the NCOP towards greater efficiency and effectiveness.

What was the outcome of the inaugural meeting of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Rules Committee in 2024?

The meeting resulted in the consolidation of Select Committees from eleven to ten, in a bid to increase efficiency, and the formation of the Subcommittee on the Review of the Council Rules and Programming Committee of the 7th Parliament. The Select Committees act as the “engine room” for provincial matters and the Council’s overall function.

Inaugural Meeting of the 7th Parliament and the Role of NCOP

On the 26th of June, 2024, a noteworthy event unfolded within South Africa’s legislative landscape, marking the first assembly of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Rules Committee during the 7th Parliament session. This significant meeting was set to determine the members that would comprise the Select Committees, which were essential for the formation of the Subcommittee on the Review of the Council Rules and the Programming Committee of the 7th Parliament.

The NCOP plays a fundamental role in safeguarding provincial interests within the Parliament. It acts as a sentinel, monitoring the performance of different government departments. The Select Committees, often dubbed as the “engine room”, are instrumental in retaining a sustained focus on provincial matters of importance.

Streamlining NCOP and its Committees

A remarkable resolution made during the meeting was the condensation of Select Committees from eleven, as it was in the 6th Parliament, to just ten. This strategic simplification of NCOP’s core operations was aimed at augmenting efficiency, thereby boosting the Council’s proficiency in executing its responsibilities and duties.

The Rules Committee, a vital part of NCOP, is made up of twenty council members. This group comprises the Permanent Deputy Chairperson, the Chief Whip of the NCOP, Mr Kenneth Mmoiemang, the House Chairpersons, the Programming Whip, and the Provincial Whips, all under the guidance of Ms Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, the Chairperson of the NCOP. The committee stands as a symbol of unity and cooperation among members, each contributing their unique expertise to enrich the council’s overall function.

NCOP: An Assembly Of Diverse Political Parties

The NCOP provides a dynamic platform for a wide array of political parties, including those that do not have a Provincial Whip. Rule 133 takes care of their representation within the Rules Committee. These parties include the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP), the Patriotic Alliance (PA), and the United Democratic Alliance (UDM). Representatives from these parties are Ms Mandisa Makesini (EFF), Ms Tamarin Breedt (FF+), Ms Seeng Mokoena (MKP), Mr Bino Farmer (PA), and Mr Mandla Peter (UDM).

The essence of inclusivity in the NCOP also extends to the Provincial Whips. They come from various regions of South Africa including the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, and Western Cape. These Provincial Whips, ranging from Adv Mwelo Nonkonyana to Frederik Badenhorst, reflect the council’s diversity.

Committee Restructuring and the Role of Select Committees

According to Rule 137 of the NCOP Rules, a Subcommittee can be established. This unit is authorised to make recommendations on the Council Rules, Orders, proceedings, procedures, and practices. The five-member Subcommittee, a smaller reflection of the larger committee, is comprised of the NCOP Chairperson, the NCOP Chief Whip, Mr Bhekizizwe Radebe from the African National Congress, Mr Badenhorst from the Democratic Alliance and Ms Makesini from the EFF.

In congruence with Rule 143, the NCOP Programming Committee is a twin of the NCOP Rules Committee in its membership composition. This Committee holds the critical task of determining the programming of the NCOP’s activities, which is pivotal for the council’s seamless functioning.

The ten Select Committees have been allocated specific portfolios to supervise, segregated into five distinct clusters. The Social Cluster hosts two committees; the Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture and the Select Committee on Social Services. The Governance Cluster includes the Select Committee on Public Infrastructure, and the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration. The Security Cluster is home to the Select Committee on Security and Justice, and the Select Committee on Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings, while the Economic Cluster holds the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, and the Select Committee on Land and Mineral Resources. The Finance Cluster is home to the Select Committee on Finance and the Select Committee on Appropriations.

Aiming for More Efficient Oversight

With comprehensive reform and restructuring, the NCOP aims to enhance oversight over different government departments. The decrease in the number of Select Committees and the reassignment of responsibilities depict the NCOP’s dedication to continually adapting in the spirit of public service and democratic governance. The recent changes serve as an affirmation of the council’s commitment to public service and democratic governance, propelling it towards greater efficiency and effectiveness.

1. What changes were made during the inaugural meeting of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Rules Committee in 2024?

The meeting resulted in the consolidation of Select Committees from eleven to ten, in a bid to increase efficiency, and the formation of the Subcommittee on the Review of the Council Rules and Programming Committee of the 7th Parliament.

2. What is the role of NCOP in safeguarding provincial interests within Parliament?

The NCOP plays a fundamental role in safeguarding provincial interests within Parliament. It acts as a sentinel, monitoring the performance of different government departments. The Select Committees, often dubbed as the “engine room”, are instrumental in retaining a sustained focus on provincial matters of importance.

3. How did the restructuring of committees aim to enhance efficiency in the NCOP?

The restructuring aimed to enhance efficiency by condensing Select Committees from eleven to ten and forming the Subcommittee on the Review of the Council Rules and Programming Committee of the 7th Parliament. By streamlining the core operations of the NCOP, the council hopes to improve its proficiency in executing its responsibilities and duties.

4. Which political parties are represented in the NCOP?

The NCOP provides a platform for a wide array of political parties, including those that do not have a Provincial Whip. These parties include the EFF, the FF+, the MKP, the PA, and the UDM.

5. How are the Select Committees allocated specific portfolios to supervise?

The ten Select Committees have been allocated specific portfolios to supervise, segregated into five distinct clusters: the Social Cluster, the Governance Cluster, the Security Cluster, the Economic Cluster, and the Finance Cluster.

6. What is the aim of the NCOP in implementing comprehensive reform and restructuring?

With comprehensive reform and restructuring, the NCOP aims to enhance oversight over different government departments. The recent changes serve as an affirmation of the council’s commitment to public service and democratic governance, propelling it towards greater efficiency and effectiveness.