MEMORANDUM
To: Presiding Officers
From: Secretary to Parliament
Date: 30 July 2004
Subject: VISION FOR PARLIAMENT
1. In crafting the vision for Parliament, a consultative process was followed which included Presiding Officers, Members and management.
2. In line with a complete strategic framework, the following vision is put forward for Parliament:
To build an effective people’s Parliament that is responsive to the needs of the people and that is driven by the ideal of realising a better life for all the people of South Africa |
This means:
A peoples’ Parliament to transform an entire society. Establishing a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights.
A peoples’ Parliament of freely elected representatives building on the foundation of a democratic and open society based on the will of the people, their participation and access to Parliament. A peoples’ Parliament educating, informing and involving the people of South Africa in its processes, and acting as a voice of the people.
A peoples’ Parliament co-operating with other spheres of government as it deepens and entrenches our democratic values. A peoples’ Parliament working with continental and international bodies to create a new democratic and participatory world order.
A peoples’ Parliament passing good laws, and scrutinizing and overseeing executive action, as it moves to improve the quality of life of the people of South Africa, building a united and democratic South Africa. A people’s Parliament creating a better life for all.
3. In order to achieve this vision, the following Strategic Objectives must be accomplished:
1. Build a quality process of scrutinizing and overseeing government’s action |
|
Objective |
Areas |
Building an oversight process that ensures a quality process of scrutinizing and overseeing government’s action, and that is driven by the ideal of realising a better life for the people of South Africa. To give effect to the notion of a Peoples Contract. |
Ensure delivery of People’s Contract – a better life for all Quality oversight and accountability process Best practices, international practices Model, legislation and procedure Systems and human resource capacity |
2. Further build a people’s Parliament that is responsive to the needs of the people of South Africa |
|
Objective |
Areas |
Further build a people’s Parliament that is responsive to the needs of all the people of South Africa, deepening public participation and involvement, and being people centered. |
People centered Deepen democracy Responsive to people’s needs Education and Information Voice of the people Include people on the peripheral Access to Parliament Parliament to the people Setting up parliamentary constituency offices (pilot project) |
3. Build an effective and efficient institution (Service delivery improvement programme) |
|
Objective |
Areas |
Build an effective and efficient institution through the Service Delivery Improvement Programme |
Improve institutional governance and policy Implement modern systems Improve human resource capacity Moral regeneration (of culture) and improved communication Provision of space, accommodation and facilities |
4. A technical breakdown of the projects aimed at reaching these Strategic Objectives will be compiled.
Z.A. DINGANI
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HB040727c