By REGINALD KANYANE
In his last major public engagement in his constituency in the Free State Province before retiring from parliament after 25 years as a parliamentarian, the acting Speaker of the National Assembly, Lechesa Tsenoli, relaunched his newly relocated Parliamentary Constituency Office (PCO) in Botshabelo Township.
Tsenoli said the PCO has recently been relocated to a more publicly accessible address at the Reahola Shopping Centre in Botshabelo, to better address the service delivery needs of that community. He further said the PCOs are crucial resources that provide a platform for Members of Parliament (MPs) as public representatives to avail themselves to the public and provide feedback on the work of parliament.
The relaunch, which is part of parliament’s outreach programme to communities that need developmental interventions to improve the quality of their lives, was attended by, among others, community members, ward councillors, representatives from the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), and Community Development Workers.
Tsenoli said: “The relaunch of the PCO represents the opening of a new chapter to improve these offices and their value to communities. The relocation of the office was aimed at ensuring improved access and impacting the lives of the people in the area.
“We have come to a place situated right in the middle of where people are. This is a busy complex and, therefore, convenient for a PCO that often serves as an adviser, providing communities with a variety of information concerning challenges they encounter.”
He said PCOs, among others, are critical in strengthening the oversight role of Parliament over the Executive through interacting with citizens and ensuring ongoing engagement with the public on issues affecting them. Tsenoli said the office will be instrumental in building partnerships with communities in the law-making processes and will be fully resourced to work for the benefit of the communities.
“PCOs are also among the crucial mechanisms of parliament to ensure it realises its vision as an activist and responsive People’s Parliament that improves the quality of life of South Africans and ensures enduring equality in our society.
“The office will also be key in improving cooperation with local government representatives and ensuring local officials are responsive to the needs and questions raised by the community,” he said.
Tsenoli said they request that councillors and government departments respect officials from these offices when they come looking for information because they will be asking in the interest of the people.
Tsenoli said during the 6th parliamentary term, the Botshabelo PCO bagged several successes, including a donation of 100 wheelchairs to people living with disabilities in the area. He said another success was informative feedback to locals through circulating a monthly newsletter to report on progress on service delivery issues raised by community members who visited the office.
“Parliament has embarked on a programme of reimagining, remodelling, and repurposing PCOs as strategic points to build partnerships with communities. These PCOs enable Members of Parliament to engage people in unmediated dialogue on their concerns and aspirations.
“The launch of the Botshabelo PCO was part of the ongoing implementation plan undertaken by the 6th parliament. In terms of the constitution, Sections 59 and 72, parliament has a duty to promote public access and meaningful participation in parliamentary processes and activities to strengthen South Africa’s participatory democracy and help accelerate the development of the people,” said Tsenoli.
Meanwhile, also present at the launch was the local councillor, Dikololo Matshepe, who welcomed the relocation of the PCO and appreciated the role the office will play – through its proximity to the public – in strengthening the relationship between the people and parliament.
Members of the public can visit Parliament’s website at www.parliament.gov.za for more information about the work of Parliament and PCOs in their respective areas.
The Guardian 