The South African Legislative Sector (SALS) under the leadership of the Speakers’ Forum will today, Thursday, 9 December, launch the South African Parliamentary Institute (SAPI).
SAPI is intended to enhance the functioning of Parliament and the nine legislatures. Its role will include the provision of capacity development programmes, and the production of quality research and knowledge management for the legislative sector. SAPI will be governed by a board of 11 qualified members with expertise in parliamentary practice; public policy; teaching and learning; as well as finance and business matters. The board will be accountable to the Speakers’ Forum and will serve for a period of five years (a parliamentary term).
The Speakers’ Forum is the highest policy-making body of the SALS collective, and provides strategic guidance towards the achievement of the legislative arm of state’s goals. It comprises Parliament’s executive authority (the National Assembly’s Speaker and Deputy Speaker and the National Council of Provinces’ Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson) as well as the Speakers of the nine provincial legislatures.
The launch will be attended by, among others, the Members of the Speakers’ Forum, House Chairpersons, Chair of Chairs of the Provincial Legislatures, Chief Whips Forum, the board of the Parliamentary Institute, international guests and delegates from the education sector.
The launch programme includes an address by National Council of Provinces Chairperson Mr Amos Masondo and National Assembly Speaker Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, as well as congratulatory messages from the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to South Africa, Dr Riina Kionka on the SALS-EU development partnership, the National School of Government of South Africa, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Kenya Parliamentary Institute.
The event will also feature a panel discussion to be introduced by the Minister of Higher Education Science and Innovation. The three panellists include representatives from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Public Services Sector Education and Training Authority and the Human Sciences Research Council. They will share insights on the opportunities available to strengthen partnership that work towards increasing capacity within state structures.
DETAILS OF THE LAUNCH ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Date: Thursday, 9 December 2021
Time: 18h30
Venue: National Assembly Restaurant, Parliament
