SA Envoy Commends Democratic Debate
Nov 28, 2002
THE South African High Commissioner, Bavumile Vilakazi, has commended the Parliament of Uganda for aiding the democratic process in the country by effectively exercising their oversight role.
By Cyprian Musoke
THE South African High Commissioner, Bavumile Vilakazi, has commended the Parliament of Uganda for aiding the democratic process in the country by effectively exercising their oversight role.
The diplomat yesterday paid his maiden call on the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi.
He said committees of Parliament played an important role by summoning government officials, and that South Africa would need to adopt a similar process.
“I know it is good when say, ministers come before a committee, and answer for government. This is very good in a democratic process and I think in South Africa itself, we shall see that we adopt such a process,†Vilakazi said.
There was a large portrait on the wall with former Speaker Francis Ayume shaking hands with Queen Elizabeth.
Ssekandi told his guest that although most people held the view that Parliament was predominantly ‘Movement’, on the contrary, all MPs made independent decisions, and that there was no ‘chief whip’ in the House.
“People are free to decide what they want on merit, and I am happy to be heading such a Parliament,†Ssekandi said.
He said the purpose of the ongoing Constitutional Review Commission was to have a working document, which will be the base of a strong Constitution.
Ssekandi said it was good that parliamentarians all over Africa were being brought on board in the African Union initiative, unlike the defunct Organisation of African Unity.
Ends
THE South African High Commissioner, Bavumile Vilakazi, has commended the Parliament of Uganda for aiding the democratic process in the country by effectively exercising their oversight role.
The diplomat yesterday paid his maiden call on the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi.
He said committees of Parliament played an important role by summoning government officials, and that South Africa would need to adopt a similar process.
“I know it is good when say, ministers come before a committee, and answer for government. This is very good in a democratic process and I think in South Africa itself, we shall see that we adopt such a process,†Vilakazi said.
There was a large portrait on the wall with former Speaker Francis Ayume shaking hands with Queen Elizabeth.
Ssekandi told his guest that although most people held the view that Parliament was predominantly ‘Movement’, on the contrary, all MPs made independent decisions, and that there was no ‘chief whip’ in the House.
“People are free to decide what they want on merit, and I am happy to be heading such a Parliament,†Ssekandi said.
He said the purpose of the ongoing Constitutional Review Commission was to have a working document, which will be the base of a strong Constitution.
Ssekandi said it was good that parliamentarians all over Africa were being brought on board in the African Union initiative, unlike the defunct Organisation of African Unity.
Ends