EAST LONDON– The Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature(ECPL) reaffirmed its commitment to people-centered governance through its flagship initiative, Taking Legislature to the People held on 21 October 2025 at the East London International Convention Centre (EL ICC).
The programme, hosted in the spirit of the Freedom Charter aimed to strengthen ties between government and citizens while enhancing transparency and accountability in service delivery. The Taking Legislature to the People initiative is a key platform for community engagement, enabling residents to voice their concerns directly to government officials and lawmakers. It brings the Legislature closer to the people, ensuring that policies are shaped by lived experiences across the province.
Speaker of the Provincial Legislature, Hon. Helen Sauls-August, underscored the importance of such engagements in deepening democracy and fostering trust.
“This initiative is a crucial step towards improving service delivery and making government more accountable to the people,” she said.
During the public comments session, Mawethu Kotobe from Ward 38 raised concerns about the gap between policy formulation and implementation. “It’s clear that we are all equal before the law and that the policies are there but those responsible for implementation are not doing so effectively,” Kotobe said.
He highlighted the potential of the District Development Model (DDM) to better align efforts across national, provincial and local government while noting that practical implementation remains a challenge.
Addressing the gathering, MEC for Social Development in the Eastern Cape Bukiwe Fanta, provided updates on key community issues raised during earlier consultations.“The issues raised by all 50 wards of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality are being addressed, with some already resolved,” she said. “In Mdantsane and Dimbaza, offices are complete and ready to serve the people.”
Furthmore representing Ward 20, Thembinkosi Vali spoke passionately on behalf of people living with disabilities, calling for greater inclusion in employment and housing initiatives. “As disabled people, we were promised accessible housing long ago but that still hasn’t happened. We hope that this key issue of employment and accessibility will be heard and addressed soon,” Vali said.
In addition Deputy Speaker of the Legislature Mlibo Qhoboshiyane reiterated the Legislature’s oversight role in ensuring accountability. “Parliament will adopt reports, provide findings, and issue recommendations. The chairperson of the portfolio committee has given the MEC 30 days to present a plan addressing issues identified during project visits,” he announced.
The day’s proceedings reflected a strong message of collaboration and accountability. As the province continues to navigate change, initiatives like Taking Legislature to the People reaffirm the Eastern Cape Legislature’s commitment to ensuring that governance remains rooted in the voices and needs of its citizens.
Photographs: supplied
