Date: 02/11/2006
Source: Kwazulu-Natal Provincial Government
Title: Mchunu: Opening of the KwaZulu-Natal media gallery
Speech delivered by the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Legislature Speaker Willies Mchunu on the occasion of the official opening of the KwaZulu-Natal media gallery, at the Legislature Chamber, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
"Avoiding democracy decay in our society"
Programme Director
Office-bearers of the Legislature
Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) present
Secretary to the Legislature, Ms Nerusha Naidoo
Ladies and gentlemen of the media
The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature aspires to be a modern, dynamic institution reflecting professionalism, responsiveness and bias to action. This is what the Agenda for Change Management Strategy that we adopted soon after the change of the political leadership of the Legislature in 2004 calls for. The agenda for Change Management further calls for the Legislature to present itself to the public as a professional, well organised and effective institution.
We made these pronouncements about this institution largely because we inherited a legislature that had been allowed to develop a "second hand look," and its services were permitted to reflect the tired, uninspired persona of its facilities.
To achieve any of the above, the Legislature had to do many things, chief among these, was the appointment of the Secretary to manage and drive the process. It is now history that we did appoint the Secretary popularly known as uNobhala. We are happy to say that, since her arrival, there has been urgency in our quest to turn around the fortunes of the institution.
Some of the milestones we have achieved since we adopted our agenda for Change Management Strategy are as follows:
* Approved a New Organisational Structure that has provided the institution with new energy, re-organised and focused old jobs, streamlined reporting lines and given us new blood
* The passing of new Standing Rules that have re-affirmed the political and executive authority of the Speaker and Secretary respectively
* The above has been done through the de-establishment of the Parliamentary Executive Board and the transfer of executive powers to manage this institution to the above-mentioned offices
* In terms of Language Policy, we are conducting our business fully in English and IsiZulu as the Agenda for Change Management call us to do.
R500 000 in avoiding democracy decay and investing in the healthy democracy
Today, we are recording yet another milestone as we officially open this state-of-the-art R500 000 facility for the media. The Media Gallery has 12 top-of-the-range laptop computers (internet access), 12 soft leather seats, a printer, a fax, a landline and a water cooler. It must be borne in mind that the facility is paid for by the taxpayer. Therefore, we appeal to you to use these facilities with care. This facility is our investment to free speech, an investment to knowledge production and a tribute to the festivity of ideas. It is an investment to light, and a banishment of darkness. Our democracy can only triumph if our people receive and impart information freely. We want a robust media and a robust citizenry.
We want a robust media because it is our firm belief that you are a guardian of the public interest, a conduit between elected representatives and the public. Simply put, we both work in the public interest. One of the critical roles of the Legislature is performing an oversight role over the work of the provincial government. We must encourage public participation and facilitate public involvement in our law making process. We cannot do this if there is democracy decay in our society.
Democracy decay occurs when information is suppressed, when journalists are harassed and when journalists simply do not have access to facilities so that they may perform their work. We remain convinced that democracy will remain stillborn if citizens are ballooning in the sea of ignorance, starved of vital information, insights and updates on the progress or otherwise of the work of those they entrusted with their votes. The backbone of a healthy democracy is an informed and empowered citizenry. Democracy requires the active participation of citizens; they cannot partake if they are starved of information.
Ideally, the media should keep citizens engaged in the business of governance by informing, educating and mobilising them.
Legislature and media: Our international obligations
We also have an international obligation in enabling the media to perform its work unhindered. In 2002, the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa hosted the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Commonwealth Press Union, the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association and the Commonwealth Journalists Association and the South African Editors Forum to develop a framework of co-operation. The theme of the meeting was, "Parliament and media: Securing an Effective Relationship." The outcome of meeting agreed on a set of principles dubbed, "The Cape Town principles for an Informed Democracy." Some of these principles are set out below.
Making Parliament or Legislature Newsworthy
* To advance a more participatory democracy, Parliament or Legislature should open all their processes to media coverage, including the work of Parliamentary or Legislature committees. (We are already doing this)
* Parliaments/Legislatures should provide schedules of committee meetings to the media and journalists should in turn cover this important parliamentary process. (We are providing the schedules; well the media does cover these important meetings)
* Media coverage of committees will better involve the public in the formulation of public policy and prevent collusion in cases where committees are investigating wrongdoing. (Only the media people can provide update on this point).
Going Forward
We are indeed happy to say the work of the Legislature will never again reflect a tired persona of its old building despite constraints of operating within a listed building. We are now unstoppable as an institution. As part of this resolve the nerve centre of the institution, the "Office of the Speaker," also received a facelift to meet the needs of a modern Legislature that we spoke about earlier. I also invite you to take a walk about in the new facility.
It is indeed a pity that this gallery and the office of the Speaker remain inadequate in serving the growing needs of a modern Legislature I referred to. Despite the revamp of the new media gallery, only 12 seated journalists can be accommodated and the office of the Speaker can still not accommodate the Deputy Speaker, let alone the full compliment of the Speaker's office staff.
I wish to remind you that the Cabinet has resolved to build a new Legislature Complex. We are convinced that such a decision is prudent and clearly, it was inevitable. The Cabinet decision was a response to many experts' reports that concluded with finality that the present facilities as they stand are, "inadequate." Last year the Extended Whips Committee of the KZN Legislature took a timely resolution on (26 October 2005) to recommend to the then Parliamentary Executive Board that, "The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature should explore as one of many options the building of a new parliamentary chamber in order to meet the present needs of our elected representatives."
The Extended Whips Committee comprises of all whips of all political parties represented in the KZN Legislature. The Whips meeting came in the wake of a report from the Department of Works regarding Legislature facilities. The Works report concluded that, "the office space of the present KZN Legislature is not adequate and needs more attention." That report remains as relevant as it was in 2005. I am happy to say time for exploration is now over as the new complex will be constructed.
Conclusion
The building of the new Legislature Complex, boasting of adequate facilities to accommodate the needs of a modern Legislature is not a matter of choice. It has to be done. We may choose to do it now or postpone it, only to have it done later. It is deemed prudent to do it now rather than to continue to incur costs on rentals and lease agreements. We have no luxury of dilly-dallying, hence the Cabinet decision, "do it now." The new facility must be a pristine building that posterity will be proud of.
Let me invite all of you to see your or our new facilities.
I thank you.
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Legislature
2 November 2006
Source: Kwazulu-Natal Provincial Government
Title: Mchunu: Opening of the KwaZulu-Natal media gallery
Speech delivered by the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Legislature Speaker Willies Mchunu on the occasion of the official opening of the KwaZulu-Natal media gallery, at the Legislature Chamber, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
"Avoiding democracy decay in our society"
Programme Director
Office-bearers of the Legislature
Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) present
Secretary to the Legislature, Ms Nerusha Naidoo
Ladies and gentlemen of the media
The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature aspires to be a modern, dynamic institution reflecting professionalism, responsiveness and bias to action. This is what the Agenda for Change Management Strategy that we adopted soon after the change of the political leadership of the Legislature in 2004 calls for. The agenda for Change Management further calls for the Legislature to present itself to the public as a professional, well organised and effective institution.
We made these pronouncements about this institution largely because we inherited a legislature that had been allowed to develop a "second hand look," and its services were permitted to reflect the tired, uninspired persona of its facilities.
To achieve any of the above, the Legislature had to do many things, chief among these, was the appointment of the Secretary to manage and drive the process. It is now history that we did appoint the Secretary popularly known as uNobhala. We are happy to say that, since her arrival, there has been urgency in our quest to turn around the fortunes of the institution.
Some of the milestones we have achieved since we adopted our agenda for Change Management Strategy are as follows:
* Approved a New Organisational Structure that has provided the institution with new energy, re-organised and focused old jobs, streamlined reporting lines and given us new blood
* The passing of new Standing Rules that have re-affirmed the political and executive authority of the Speaker and Secretary respectively
* The above has been done through the de-establishment of the Parliamentary Executive Board and the transfer of executive powers to manage this institution to the above-mentioned offices
* In terms of Language Policy, we are conducting our business fully in English and IsiZulu as the Agenda for Change Management call us to do.
R500 000 in avoiding democracy decay and investing in the healthy democracy
Today, we are recording yet another milestone as we officially open this state-of-the-art R500 000 facility for the media. The Media Gallery has 12 top-of-the-range laptop computers (internet access), 12 soft leather seats, a printer, a fax, a landline and a water cooler. It must be borne in mind that the facility is paid for by the taxpayer. Therefore, we appeal to you to use these facilities with care. This facility is our investment to free speech, an investment to knowledge production and a tribute to the festivity of ideas. It is an investment to light, and a banishment of darkness. Our democracy can only triumph if our people receive and impart information freely. We want a robust media and a robust citizenry.
We want a robust media because it is our firm belief that you are a guardian of the public interest, a conduit between elected representatives and the public. Simply put, we both work in the public interest. One of the critical roles of the Legislature is performing an oversight role over the work of the provincial government. We must encourage public participation and facilitate public involvement in our law making process. We cannot do this if there is democracy decay in our society.
Democracy decay occurs when information is suppressed, when journalists are harassed and when journalists simply do not have access to facilities so that they may perform their work. We remain convinced that democracy will remain stillborn if citizens are ballooning in the sea of ignorance, starved of vital information, insights and updates on the progress or otherwise of the work of those they entrusted with their votes. The backbone of a healthy democracy is an informed and empowered citizenry. Democracy requires the active participation of citizens; they cannot partake if they are starved of information.
Ideally, the media should keep citizens engaged in the business of governance by informing, educating and mobilising them.
Legislature and media: Our international obligations
We also have an international obligation in enabling the media to perform its work unhindered. In 2002, the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa hosted the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Commonwealth Press Union, the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association and the Commonwealth Journalists Association and the South African Editors Forum to develop a framework of co-operation. The theme of the meeting was, "Parliament and media: Securing an Effective Relationship." The outcome of meeting agreed on a set of principles dubbed, "The Cape Town principles for an Informed Democracy." Some of these principles are set out below.
Making Parliament or Legislature Newsworthy
* To advance a more participatory democracy, Parliament or Legislature should open all their processes to media coverage, including the work of Parliamentary or Legislature committees. (We are already doing this)
* Parliaments/Legislatures should provide schedules of committee meetings to the media and journalists should in turn cover this important parliamentary process. (We are providing the schedules; well the media does cover these important meetings)
* Media coverage of committees will better involve the public in the formulation of public policy and prevent collusion in cases where committees are investigating wrongdoing. (Only the media people can provide update on this point).
Going Forward
We are indeed happy to say the work of the Legislature will never again reflect a tired persona of its old building despite constraints of operating within a listed building. We are now unstoppable as an institution. As part of this resolve the nerve centre of the institution, the "Office of the Speaker," also received a facelift to meet the needs of a modern Legislature that we spoke about earlier. I also invite you to take a walk about in the new facility.
It is indeed a pity that this gallery and the office of the Speaker remain inadequate in serving the growing needs of a modern Legislature I referred to. Despite the revamp of the new media gallery, only 12 seated journalists can be accommodated and the office of the Speaker can still not accommodate the Deputy Speaker, let alone the full compliment of the Speaker's office staff.
I wish to remind you that the Cabinet has resolved to build a new Legislature Complex. We are convinced that such a decision is prudent and clearly, it was inevitable. The Cabinet decision was a response to many experts' reports that concluded with finality that the present facilities as they stand are, "inadequate." Last year the Extended Whips Committee of the KZN Legislature took a timely resolution on (26 October 2005) to recommend to the then Parliamentary Executive Board that, "The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature should explore as one of many options the building of a new parliamentary chamber in order to meet the present needs of our elected representatives."
The Extended Whips Committee comprises of all whips of all political parties represented in the KZN Legislature. The Whips meeting came in the wake of a report from the Department of Works regarding Legislature facilities. The Works report concluded that, "the office space of the present KZN Legislature is not adequate and needs more attention." That report remains as relevant as it was in 2005. I am happy to say time for exploration is now over as the new complex will be constructed.
Conclusion
The building of the new Legislature Complex, boasting of adequate facilities to accommodate the needs of a modern Legislature is not a matter of choice. It has to be done. We may choose to do it now or postpone it, only to have it done later. It is deemed prudent to do it now rather than to continue to incur costs on rentals and lease agreements. We have no luxury of dilly-dallying, hence the Cabinet decision, "do it now." The new facility must be a pristine building that posterity will be proud of.
Let me invite all of you to see your or our new facilities.
I thank you.
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Legislature
2 November 2006
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