Motlotlegi Mmusakgotla [Hon Speaker], there are many inferences and lessons that a person or a government can draw from what has happened in the Middle East and North Africa. I'm of the opinion that we need not intellectualise this debate, but, rather, break it down to basics of governance in a democratic state. Although there may well have been the influence of third parties, or the West to be exact, as alleged by some, it is important for any entity to sweep its own side of the floor before it starts allocating blame.
Governance is a manner and style in which government relates and interacts with the society it governs. There are four suggested pillars that can be used as a measure of whether governance is good or bad: the degree of trust in government, the degree of responsiveness in the relationship between government and civil society, the government's degree of accountability to its voters, and the nature of the authority that the government exercises over its society.
We, as Parliament, have a role to play in terms of ensuring that proper legislation and policies that articulate the four stated pillars are in place. I dare say that we have, thus far, played that role well. However, we are lagging behind in our oversight role as it has not translated into more accountable government.
The state has a responsibility to protect, regulate, develop, maintain and sustain its citizens, bearing in mind the availability of resources. On paper and in theory, Parliament holds government accountable. We purport to do that through various committees. If we do this effectively and efficiently, then the million dollar questions are as follows: Why do we continue to see service delivery protests in each and every province? Why do we continue to read of senior public officials entangled in corrupt activities? Why has violence by our police force against civilians and vice versa increased?
If we are to maintain peace and security, and seek to avoid a repeat of what happened in North Africa, we, as Parliament, need to ensure and strengthen our oversight role and hold government truly accountable to us and to the electorate. I thank you.