South Africa's newly appointed deputy chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Les Govender
South Africa's newly appointed deputy chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Les Govender, wants to focus on ensuring that all South Africans understand the amendment of bills and their implications.
The NCOP is a legislative body that represents provincial interests in the national sphere of government.
Govender said when he was requested to take up the position of special delegate in the NCOP he didn't foresee this position would be made available.
"For me to take up this position there had to be agreement and support from all nine provinces or a majority of the nine provinces, which was received and I was sworn in.
"It was surreal and totally unexpected to be offered this position. It's a great honour and I feel humbled. It's a testament of my party's acknowledgement of my capacity to do the job right. They noticed the work I had been doing over the years," said Govender.
He said it was incumbent upon them to ensure that the government of national unity works in the interest of the people.
Govender, 69, joined the IFP in 2003 after leaving the teaching profession. He also volunteered in a number of community organisations such as the Chatsworth Child Welfare and the Hospice Association.
He served in various portfolios in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature such as education; social development; finance; economic development and tourism; and health.
Govender said the NCOP deals with the passing of laws, especially when it comes to the amendment of bills that were already in place and bills that affect the provinces directly, the NCOP facilitates the process of public hearings and input into the amendments.
"A challenge is to fine tune the way we conduct public hearings in a manner that would ensure that people from different provinces are able to make input into laws. You find very often amendment bills and laws sent to provinces in English. If you are in a province where people speak different languages, then they don't understand fully what the implications.
"I will focus on ensuring that when bills go to different provinces they go in the language that is predominant in those provinces. I also see a stumbling block that these bills are not properly explained to communities. People come to public hearings not knowing what the bill is about and its implications in their lives. We need to tighten up on and ensure its done in accordance with the Constitution," he said.
Sunday Tribune