Mr Skosana said that the National Assembly was elected to represent the people, to elect the President, to provide a national forum for public consideration of issues, to pass legislation, to scrutinise and to oversee executive action. By comparison the National Council of Provinces was elected to represent the provinces, to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government by participating in the national legislative process and by providing a national forum for public consideration of issues affecting provinces.