The three-day Development Seminar was hosted by the Forum of Secretaries (FoS) under the South African Legislative Sector (SALS) from 7-9 August 2023. The seminar, which took place in the North West Province, brought together administrative leaders from all of South Africa’s legislatures. The goal of this seminar is to promote capable and outcome-orientated leadership, resulting in excellence, integrity, and professionalism within SALS. Minimum norms and standards will be developed to achieve this goal.
The seminar also aims to develop and enhance the capacity of managers and staff in the legislative sector to fulfil their duties and responsibilities efficiently and effectively. Attendees had the opportunity to share and exchange ideas and experiences on legislative practices, procedures, and processes within the country, continent, and worldwide. Finally, the seminar aims to provide strategic leadership and guidance and contribute to the broader dissemination of knowledge about legislative practices and procedures for continuous development and improvement.
The seminar was attended by Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries to Parliament and Provincial Legislatures, Executive and Senior officials of the South African Parliament and Provincial Legislatures of the Legislative Sector. A number of international guests from African parliaments also joined the seminar on invitation.
The Seminar’s theme was “Building a capable and strong legislative sector that realizes open, responsive, and accountable government.” Some distinguished leaders who delivered presentations included Dr Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa and former United Nations under-secretary-General and Executive Director of UN, Mr Theo Kaspers, Head of Cooperation, European Commission, and Mr. Xolile George, Secretary to Parliament.
At the end of the seminar, the outcomes and recommendations were shared which included the official launch of the newly established Sector Clusters and Professional Forums under the banner of the Secretaries’ Forum SA, the processes for Legacy Reports of the 6th Parliamentary Term, and the Induction and Transition process to the 7th Parliamentary Term as well as the sector planning framework for the 7th term.