Parliamentary Program
About this program
The Democracy Development Program (DDP) exists to deepen the practice of democracy in South Africa. It seeks to build strong and active communities that can hold those in power to account. The programme seeks to promote civil society engagement with the KZN provincial legislature towards deepening accountability and promotion of good governance in the process, promote public engagement with the legislature through its various programmes.
The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature is one of the nine provincial legislatures in South Africa. Based in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, the KZN Legislature is constitutionally mandated to pass legislation, provide a forum for public participation, involve the public in the law-making process, and oversee the activities of the provincial executive. The KZN Legislature consists of 80 Members, elected every five years on a proportional representation system. The Premier and Members of the KZN Cabinet are appointed from these Members.
PROGRAMME GOAL
To foster transparency and accountability of KZN legislature by promoting the participation of citizens and civil society in the work of portfolio committees.
OBJECTIVES
- To enhance citizen engagement with portfolio committees of KZN Parliament
- To deepen accountability through civil society engagement with portfolio committees
- To enhance civil society and political parties’ cooperation in responding to various bills
PROGRAMME GEOGRAPHICAL FOCUS
The programme focuses on the KZN legislature
PROGRAMME METHODOLOGY
a) Transformational dialogues approach between civil society and political parties.
b) Capacity building initiatives – training, seminars, and workshops.
c) Research on bills.
PROGRAMME COMPONENTS
a) Research
b) Capacity building workshops.
PROGRAMME TARGET
- Civil Society
- Political parties
- Citizens
- Portfolio Committees
