How well does our Parliament keep the executive in check? That’s the question explored in “Ten Years of South Africa’s National Development Plan: Progress, Challenges, and the Future”, a new book unpacking this important topic. 

Dr Rachel Fischer, OUTA’s Parliamentary Engagement and Research Manager, together with former OUTA accountability team member Thabile Zuma contributed a chapter to the book, compiled and edited by Isaac Khambule and Paul Kariuki.

In the chapter, titled "A Critical Reflection on the State of Parliamentary Oversight", OUTA explores how effectively Parliament monitors the executive. The findings were mixed.  “We have been keeping an eye on various portfolio committees since 2019 to see how effective they are,” Fischer explains. “Given Parliament’s lack of action during the state capture era and its struggle to hold the executive accountable, OUTA is calling for a stronger Oversight and Accountability (OVAC) model.”

OUTA’s findings highlight the need for clear standards in public participation, as this enables committees to effectively gather and use information to influence governance and provide feedback to the public.

Public involvement is essential for good governance, offering fresh perspectives on departmental performance. OUTA's report employs various methods, including examining meeting frequency, analysing financial reports, and reviewing Budget Review and Recommendations Reports (BRRRs) from selected portfolio committees. We assess where departments stand, identify risks, and suggest improvements. Although these reports frequently offer solid recommendations, the implementation in subsequent years often falls short.

As South Africa pushes toward its 2030 goals under the ‘Decade for Change’ and the National Development Plan (NDP), OUTA believes that with collective effort and strong political will, we can achieve the NDP’s vision of building an ethical, capable, and developmental state.