The WCPP (Western Cape Provincial Parliament), one of nine provincial legislatures in South Africa, on Tuesday 18 April, held a public engagement programme called “WCPP Engage” in the Caledon Townhall. This was an opportunity to expand citizen service and for community members and stakeholders to engage with members of the Provincial Parliament that were present.
Sunelle Fouché, Director: Public Engagement, told Hermanus Times: “One of the focal points that we as the WCPP have is to say we are a people-oriented parliament. We want to be more in touch with the people we represent in Parliament.
“We have gone to many of the regions to meet the stakeholders at their level. We invite representatives of youth and women’s organisations, community policing forums, faith-based organisations and agriculture, any parties that have an interest in the work that the WCPP does.
“We bring available members of the WCPP and say ‘Here are the people that represent you in Parliament, and this is the now the opportunity to talk to them, engage with them and look for solutions for problems you may have.’
“Administrative members make notes of concerns raised to be presented to the Speaker’s office. Our aim is meaningful communication and we will give feedback on the issues raised.”
Daylin Mitchell, Speaker of the WCPP, took office in December 2022 and is the youngest Speaker the WCPP has ever had.
He said: “As the Provincial Parliament we have a responsibility over government departments. Because we are members of standing committees, we can raise concerns directly with ministers and the premier of the WCPP.”
Mitchell is passionate about youth development and youth at risk.
“I come from a rural community, so I understand that accessibility and resources are very scarce in that particular environment. I can give you my assurance that we will engage the Department of Social Development, taking into account that there are also budgetary restraints.
“It should not be that parliament is only accessible to people in the city of Cape Town and this is why members of the standing committees often crisscross the province in order to directly engage the communities.
“It can never be that in 2023 citizens do not have a voice in parliament and can not raise their concerns or issues directly with elected public representatives.”
