Parliamentary Capacity-Building Programme: briefing

Meeting report

PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
25 May 2005
PARLIAMENTARY CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAMME: BRIEFING

Chairperson: Mr F Bhengu (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Draft Report on Transformation Construction Charter
Parliamentary Programme Second Term 2005.

SUMMARY
The Committee received a briefing from the Parliamentary Capacity-building Programme -ordinator. The Committee discussed the logistics of the upcoming provincial visits next month. A number of issues were also raised concerning the draft Construction Transformation Charter. It was concluded that a workshop would be organised to hear from all relevant parties in an attempt to resolve problems with the draft.

MINUTES
The Chairperson wanted an explanation in writing on why a meeting held in the same venue earlier that day had overrun and resulted in this Committee beginning its meeting late suggested that Members brief the Committee on challenges encountered in their regions during the constituency recess.

Parliamentary Capacity Building Programme: briefing
Mr M Seopela, the PCP Co-ordinator, briefed the Committee on their programme’s objectives, one of which was to assist Members in their oversight function. A researcher was in the process of being appointed, subject to final Parliament authorisation. It was hoped the programme would be underway by August 2005. US$ 2.7 million had been raised for the project.

The programme was a response to a needs analysis questionnaire circulated among Members last year. From this, two main areas had been identified: general training and Committee-specific training.

Members would be able to study a series of modules over four years. Depending on the number of modules successfully completed; the Member would then obtain a Diploma, MSc or PhD degree.

Mr Seopela mentioned that South Africa was looking to becoming a Member of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), to which 32 African countries were currently affiliated. Affiliates contributed annual fees towards the projects carried out by ACBF on the continent.

Discussion
Members felt it was important that the oversight trainer had a thorough understanding of the particular Committee. In the case of the Public Works Committee, that would mean the construction industry, land evaluation and surveying, and the Extended Public Works Programme's (EPWP) role in alleviating poverty and unemployment.

Mr S Opperman (DA) questioned whether Members of Parliament would have enough time to devote to these studies.

Mr Seopela explained that the service provider would be setting up an office in Parliament. Training was to take place after hours, on weekends and during the day when Members were available. There would be no exams. Members would be expected to complete an assignment at the end of a module in order to receive accreditation. The assignment would be closely linked to their Parliamentary Committee interests and areas of work.

Mr J Blanché argued strongly that one did not come to Parliament to become a university graduate, but rather to serve on committees and learn through that process. He also felt that an outsider training the Public Works Committee Members was ineffective, as they would not have the requisite expertise.

The Chairperson stated that many Members who had served, or who were currently serving, in Parliament since 1994 had not had the privilege of receiving a university education. While many had become experts learning through experience, Parliament had taken a decision to provide this opportunity.

Mr G Anthony (ANC) welcomed the opportunity of empowerment through education for all, unlike in the apartheid era where knowledge was confined to the privileged minority.

Ms N Mdaka (UDM) noted that she had been able to pass on her knowledge learned in Parliament, especially in the economic classes, to her constituents. These learning opportunities also enabled Members to contribute far more meaningfully once they their terms of office.

The Chairperson concluded that it was a positive initiative but should not be seen by the public as taking time away from the work Members were elected to do in Parliament.

Parliament building contractors
The Chairperson raised the issue that during the debate the previous day the Speaker had raised complaints about the ‘shady’ nature of contractors working in the Parliament buildings and surrounds. The Speaker ‘had placed the ball in the Public Works Committee’s court’. The Chairperson relayed to Mr D Lewin (Parliamentary Officer) that the Committee needed to be properly briefed on the current contract which had been extended until March 2006, as well as the poor state of the security system in certain areas.

Provincial visits
The Committee discussed the dates and Committee delegation breakdown for their Provincial visits in June.

The Chairperson noted that in the past there was a tendency for the Department to direct the Committee to particular areas and persons. It was important for the Committee to meet middle management and anyone who had complaints and challenges. It was essential that the Parliamentary visit be advertised on local radio stations and in local media. The Committee would then be able to hold more of an ‘Imbizo’ and be able to listen to what the public had to tell them.

Members questioned why their Committee was never given approval for suggested overseas tours. The Committee had wanted to undertake an important study visit to Canada for a long time, but this trip had not been authorised.

Construction Transformation Charter
Mr Lewin noted that the Construction Transformation Charter discussion would be deferred to the next meeting.

The Chairperson wanted to see those who ‘driving the Charter’ involved in the policy formulation process and not just the Department. Having circulated the Draft Report on the Charter among relevant parties, a number of issues had been raised. Groups such as the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the Independent Development Trust (IDT) had requested an opportunity to brief the Committee on problems with the Draft. The Chairperson concluded that the best solution would be for the Committee to host a workshop for all concerned parties

Emerging contractors from the incubator programme had raised a key area of concern. Contractors felt that once they had emerged from the programme, they faced ‘aggression from big business’, inhibiting their entry into the mainstream industry.

The Chairperson relayed that he had met with the Minister of Public Works. Many relevant documents were coming out of the Department that contributed to the drafting process. He had also discussed with the Minister that the Committee needed to be briefed on the Department’s vision regarding the New Economic Partnership in African Development (NEPAD) and its relation to the construction industry. The industry in Africa seemed to be becoming more saturated, with South Africans being unable to secure contracts. The Committee needed more information on the situation.

The Chairperson had noted that the Committee should be briefed on the Property Sector Transformation Charter. He had also suggested that the Black Economic Empowerment Charter be circulated to the Committee.

The meeting was adjourned.