Bringing the provincial legislature to the people
The provincial legislature has a new strategy to bring it closer to the people, and it’s one the institution’s speaker hopes will spell an end to violent protests in the province.
Thetha Nati, or “speak to us”, is a campaign that is trying to improve the work of the Western Cape provincial legislature by putting members of the legislature in touch with the communities they serve, says provincial legislature speaker Masizole Mnqasela.
About 40 people from across Cape Town were introduced to the programme at the Bloubergstrand community hall on Friday March 18. They spent five hours hearing about it as well as the country’s electoral system and the roles and responsibilities of members of the provincial legislature.
Thetha Nathi gave the public a chance to have their voices heard on issues that affected their communities; it gave the public “comfort knowing that someone is willing to listen to them”, Mr Mnqasela said.
Thetha Nathi arranges a one-on-one meeting with the person or organisation who has drafted a petition and submits it to the relevant department or minister.
“We want people to get away from the idea of burning and further destroying things in their communities during protests but instead put all their anger onto paper or email and send it to Thetha Nathi, who definitely will help them,” Mr Mnqasela said.
Provincial legislature public education officer, Owano Madlingozi, said Thetha Nathi could assist with any issue in a community.
For example, if residents have an issue with their police stations, which does not fall under the provincial legislature's scope of work, Theta Nathi will not overlook the issue but instead get the petition or public participation form to the relevant departments in the South African Police Service until they receive an answer, she said. But it was important to go through all the avenues of getting complaints and grievances to the relevant people before asking Theta Nathi for help, she added.
“If you have a service-delivery issue, contact your councillors and then the City of Cape Town. Only if you receive no feedback or help from either parties, then come to Thetha Nathi, and we will help.”
Ward 107 councillor Nicky Rheeder, who was at the event, said she looked forward to sharing all the information with her constituents.
To get in touch with Thetha Nathi, call Owona Madlingozi at 021 487 1714 or email her at omadlingozi@wcpp.gov.za
The provincial legislature has a new strategy to bring it closer to the people, and it’s one the institution’s speaker hopes will spell an end to violent protests in the province.
Thetha Nati, or “speak to us”, is a campaign that is trying to improve the work of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP) by putting members of the parliament in touch with the communities they serve, says provincial parliament speaker Masizole Mnqasela.
About 40 people from across Cape Town were introduced to the programme at the Bloubergstrand Hall on Friday March 18. They spent five hours hearing about it as well as the country’s electoral system and the roles and responsibilities of members of the provincial legislature.
Thetha Nathi gave the public a chance to have their voices heard on issues that affected their communities; it gave the public “comfort knowing that someone is willing to listen to them”, he said.
Thetha Nathi arranges a one-on-one meeting with the person or organisation who has drafted a petition and submits it to the relevant department or minister.
“We want people to get away from the idea of burning and further destroying things in their communities during protests but instead put all their anger onto paper or email and send it to Thetha Nathi, who definitely will help them,” Mr Mnqasela said.
WCPP public education officer Owano Madlingozi said Thetha Nathi could assist with any issue in a community.
“For example, if residents have an issue with their police stations, which does not fall under the WCPP scope of work, Theta Nathi will not overlook the issue but instead get the petition or public participation form to the relevant departments in the South African Police Service until we receive an answer,” she said.
But it was important to go through all the avenues of getting complaints and grievances to the relevant people before asking Theta Nathi for help, she added.
“If you have a service-delivery issue, contact your councillors and then the City of Cape. Only if you receive no feedback or help from either parties, then come to Thetha Nathi, and we will help.”
Ward 107 councillor Nicky Rheeder, who was at the event, said she looked forward to sharing all the information with her constituents.
To get in touch with Thetha Nathi, call Owona Madlingozi at 021 487 1714 or email her at omadlingozi@wcpp.gov.za
