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Deputy Chair, the debate on this important topic takes place during a very important month in our calendar of events as a country. I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the women of our country. We owe it to them and always must make sure that, for their sake, our democracy flourishes for generations to come.
Building sound intergovernmental relations and ensuring that the spirit of co-operative governance finds resonance in our developmental agenda speaks directly to our noble cause of building a developmental state, which constitutes the central subject of our theme "to transform South Africa into a truly democratic and caring society".
Our Constitution directs that all spheres of government and all organs of state within its spheres must secure the wellbeing of our people in the Republic. It goes without saying that our spheres of government and organs of state cannot secure such wellbeing outside the context of a well- rounded, developed country. It therefore requires that, as different spheres, we consistently marshal ourselves in making sure that we work as equal partners to ensure that our democratic state does not walk away from its developmental responsibilities.
We must always remind ourselves that our Constitution directs that all spheres of government and all organs of state within each sphere must co- operate with one another in mutual trust and good faith, by assisting and supporting one another, and co-ordinating their actions and legislation with one another. This provision in the Constitution guarantees that each sphere is bound to succeed in its constitutional responsibilities, with a more formidable relationship with the others, and further ensures that support is directed to other spheres of government to areas where it is needed.
As we debate this important topic, we must be reminded that our approach to intergovernmental relations and co-operative governance has always been informed by the need to promote relationships across and between the spheres of government for a shared, integrated, developmental vision. It is also because of our appreciation of the existence of interdependence that exists between these spheres of government.
The enactment of a number of pieces of legislation, by the two Houses of Parliament, to give effect to the spirit of sound intergovernmental relations and co-operative governance is a living testimony that our approach to provide sustainable livelihoods to our communities is not the exclusive responsibility of a single sphere of government, but a result of sound policy co-ordination, planning and implementation by all spheres of government.
In an attempt to ensure that the above finds expression in our daily programmes as the provincial government in Gauteng, we have adopted the Gauteng provincial intergovernmental relations programme of action. The programme is being considered by executive structures in the local government sphere in our province. There are also further engagements through forums such as the premier's co-ordinating forum in the province on policy and strategic issues.
The Gauteng intergovernmental relations, IGR, framework aims to provide programmatic guidelines that will shift co-operative government from an abstract concept and governance mechanism to focusing on service delivery and ensuring responsiveness to citizens' needs at both macro and micro levels.
The implementation of the framework will strengthen relations between the three spheres of government, and link and synergise provincial sector IGR forums, including the premier's co-ordinating forum, and intermunicipality and interprovincial forums. The basis of the framework is that unless an integrated and coherent approach to address the challenges of governance is undertaken, the spheres of government and departments will continue to plan and implement policies and programmes in isolation from each other. Poor co-ordination will lead to inadequate, inefficient or duplicate service delivery.
We continue doing all of the above with a very firm commitment to strengthen the developmental state and good governance, and heighten service delivery in the province. It is perhaps important to mention that the decision to strengthen intergovernmental relations and co-operative governance also includes an attempt to respond to limited or no monitoring and evaluation of the IGR forums, and to respond to the limited use of broader provincial integrated planning.
This led to a proliferation of forums that were not necessarily aligned to the provincial strategic objectives, and this has had a direct impact on the alignment of planning and budgeting cycles. In implementing our IGR framework, we focus on the integrated planning and co-ordination of government programmes and projects; strategic agenda setting; contributing to a shared vision through a programmatic governance approach across the two spheres; ensuring effective IGR structures and systems in both local and provincial spheres; and creating opportunity for capacity development in sector departments and municipalities in the implementation of the framework. The successful implementation of the framework will assist in ensuring that the provincial integrated planning and co-ordination of programmes and activities contribute to achieving service delivery outcomes in the province.
Hon Deputy Chairperson, the unique nature of the NCOP finds expression in its constitutional mandate, as the House that brings together the three spheres of government. The legislative scrutiny and oversight role of the NCOP in promoting co-operative governance is fundamentally captured in section 76 of our Constitution, when it empowers the NCOP to pass a Bill, to pass an amending Bill or reject a Bill referred to it by the National Assembly.
The NCOP is a platform for the expression of the interests of provinces, and therefore acts as one of the central vehicles in the provision of quality service delivery. The NCOP is at the cutting edge of intergovernmental relations and serves to entrench co-operative governance across the three spheres of government, as mandated by the Constitution.
The Gauteng provincial government, through its own leader of government business, sees to the IGR processes, and sees these processes as complementary ...
Is my time over? Oh! Thank you. [Applause.] [Time expired.] [Laughter.]