Legislative Sector Launches Its Seminal Parliamentary Institute To Build Capacity Of Members And Staff
07 December 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LEGISLATIVE SECTOR LAUNCHES ITS SEMINAL PARLIAMENTARY INSTITUTE TO BUILD CAPACITY OF MEMBERS AND STAFF
The South African Legislative Sector (SALS), will on Thursday 09 December 2021, launch its flagship Institute known as the South African Parliamentary Institute (SAPI), that will be seized with the responsibility to train and develop the capacity of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Provincial Legislatures (MPLs), including staff members who work for the sector.
The event will take place at National Parliament in the National Assembly Building in Cape Town from 18h15.
The South African Parliamentary Institute was conceptualized by the South African Legislative Sector (SALS). In the Third Term (2004 – 2009), the then Speakers’ Forum resolved to strengthen the Legislative Sector towards ensuring that Parliament and Provincial Legislatures collectively become the backbone of a successful and representative democracy. The Speakers Forum of the third term developed and adopted a Sector Policy and Strategic Framework for the Legislative Sector. This ensured that the sector collaboration was strengthened and the sector approach institutionalized.
The Speakers Forum of the 4th term resolved, at the beginning of the Fourth Term (2009 – 2014), to continue with sector collaboration through implementation of strategic interventions and frameworks aimed at strengthening and entrenching a people-centred democracy in South Africa, strengthening capacity in law making and oversight, building an efficient legislative sector, and also strengthening the capacity to engage, participate in, and oversee international relations.
The sector collaborated with institutions of Higher Learning to develop sector specific capacity building programmes for Members and staff. This collaboration led to the implementation of successful programmes for Members with the first group of Members graduating in November 2011.
In the Fourth Term, the sector identified the need for a Sector Parliamentary Institute as one of the recommendations of the sector oversight framework called the Sector Oversight Model (SOM). To provide the sector with access to relevant information, identify relevant needs, design and deliver specific programmes, and conduct research, the Speakers’ Forum approved the establishment of the Parliamentary Institute in the Fifth Term with the establishment process approved in the Sixth Term.
The main purpose of the Parliamentary Institute is to enhance the effective and efficient functioning of Legislatures by providing capacity building interventions, technical assistance, and quality research and knowledge management. The mandate of the Institute will include the following:
- Enhance performance of Members and officials of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures by developing and implementing quality learning, training and development programmes that addresses performance, access and growth.
- Conduct quality research and provide up-to-date information to members of Parliament, Committees and Legislatures.
- Provide technical assistance to committees and Office Bearers in the legislative and policy related matters.
- Professionalize the Legislative Sector by offering professional development programs and seminars fostering Batho Pele values and ethos through the forums.
- Retention of institutional memory by establishing, coordinating and hosting of the alumni association of former members of the Legislative Sector. The Institute through alumni members will offer short term employment to former members with expert knowledge on a need basis.
- Coordinate knowledge exchanges programmes through educational study tours, field visits and outreach programmes for members and staff.
The media will be informed of the streaming information tomorrow to access the proceedings of the launch of the Institute.
Ends
Issued by
Communications Unit of KZN Legislature
For more information:
Sina Nxumalo: 0829060449
