ParlyBeat makes links between the policy and oversight processes taking place in committees in the legislatures and the lived realities of ordinary people. Through this it aims to increase public scrutiny of the performance of the legislatures, increase access to information on key social justice issues, and also promote increased engagement by a broader range of the public with the work of legislatures and elected representatives.
The publication includes news analysis and feature articles as well as reflections from Parliament Watch members and relevant information to increase knowledge of and access to the legislatures and elected representatives. The articles can be republished by media outlets subject to certain conditions of a creative commons licence.
The articles can be republished subject to certain licensing conditions.
The views expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the DOI or the funders.
Prasa trains not safe for women
The theme of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children that started on November 25 is “count me in”.Yet certain organisations have slammed the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) for undermining the safety of women and children.
No easy solutions for farm schools
A debate in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on the challenges facing farm learners this week quickly escalated into a political wrestling match between provinces but also confirmed there are no easy solutions to these challenges.
Billions needed for food security plan, MPs hear
Government’s plan against hunger, if approved, may cost the already cash-strapped country more than R86 billion over the next five years. These figures presented in parliament this week had a few MPs in the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at the edge of their seats questioning where the money will come from.
How well is the People’s Parliament living up to this name? Community members who monitor parliament as part of the Parliament Watch collective give their impressions of various portfolio committee meetings and how MPs are exercising their oversight duty. By making Parliament everyone’s business, public agency, transparency, and access to information – all important building blocks of democracy – is promoted. Parliament Watch monitors affiliated to the Social Justice Coalition Lunga Mtoto, Nosipho Zembe and Yonela Maweza attended the Portfolio Committee on Police on Tuesday, 14 November 2017. This is their impressions
Long Road still ahead for ‘Child Marriages’ Bill
Despite alarming figures of tens of thousands of child marriages in the country, much-needed legislation to address the issue is seemingly still a long way off for those considered child victims of forced marriages.
Navigating Parliament and access to information can at times be difficult for ordinary citizens. The past week was no exception for members of the Parliament Watch (ParlyWatch) collective who monitors these parliamentary meetings. Although the blockages are not official, the systems and ways of getting access to information and committees are becoming more and more hidden, changeable and closed,writes Sam Waterhouse
SAPS under fire for ‘discriminating’ against poor
Nobody wants to become a crime statistic yet the crime figures released recently show the probability of this happening to the average South African remains high. Despite crime affecting all citizens across communities, their experiences may vary depending on certain factors.
MPs: Underfunding of NPOs need comprehensive solutions
What started out as a petition to parliament about the underfunding of child welfare NPOs on behalf of residents of the East Rand in Johannesburg, has this week spiralled into a broader call for a more comprehensive solution to underfunding across all provinces.
Communities bear brunt of thousands of vacancies in public health
Millions of South Africans dependent on public healthcare has been feeling the impact of staff shortages in health facilities for years, a community health organisation in the Western Cape claimed.
