From 24 to 28 June, the North West provincial legislature hosted an induction workshop for members of the legislature, and Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), gave the keynote address to the elected members on Thursday, 27 June. The event took place at Broederstroom near Hartbeespoort.
Tshepo Khoza, deputy speaker of the North West legislature, said he was encouraged by the positive energy that was on display during the workshop. He reiterated that the legislature needed to address issues such as unemployment, poverty, restoring the public’s trust, accelerating service delivery and more.
He also spoke of the necessity to be responsive to the needs of the community and that the legislature must follow voters’ instruction, namely: “We need to work together”.
Prof Tyobeka congratulated members on their election after a demanding election season and highlighted how the NWU was helping to take the province forward.
He reminded the members in attendance of the immense responsibility resting on their shoulders: “Esteemed members, provincial legislatures are not only platforms to represent citizens regarding their needs, but are also intellectual spaces to reflect on how public representatives can contribute to shaping public policy and resourcing the government of the day to enable it to provide the necessary public services efficiently and effectively. In other words, the oversight function cannot serve as a rubber stamp for the provincial executive’s budget votes and their departmental performance submissions with minimal scrutiny. The role of this house is much more than that. The public expects accountability and responsibility for the use of public resources. Therefore, this house should seek to understand the needs and aspirations of the people of this province within the broader national and global perspectives. This requires analytical and research skills so that members and their support staff can interrogate submissions from departments.”
Desbo Mohono, speaker of the North West provincial legislature, thanked Prof Tyobeka for his comments, exclaiming: “Finally, the journey has arrived!”
She noted how the province has a lot to offer – although it thinks of itself as a small province – and that working with the education sector is imperative should the province want to achieve success.
She concluded by stating how it is the responsibility of the legislature to give the people in the province “what is theirs” and “to make them proud”.
Prof Bismark Tyobeka with Desbo Mohono, speaker of the North West provincial legislature.
