scholarly journals Critical Analysis of the Oversight Role of the Education Portfolio Committee in Parliament of South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. W. Manona

There is a prevalent assumption in South Africa that Parliament is guided by the ideals of democracy, accountability, transparency and accessibility. However, there are still gaps and challenges as far as theoversight role of Parliament is concerned, despite the presence of committees that have been established to oversee the executive and relevant structures of government, government activities and public finances. There is widespread maladministration and misuse of government expenditure in government departments. This paper investigates the oversight role of parliamentary committees to determine their relative influence on accountability and democracy in the execution of functions by public functionaries. The aim of the paper is to provide an understanding into inherent problems in the oversight role of Parliament in the democratic dispensation in South Africa, which seems not to have been given serious attention in the academia, considering the pivotal role Parliament plays in the lives of citizens of the country. These oversight committees have selectively held Senior Executives or Ministers accountable for their ineffectiveness, misuse of government expenditure and maladministration. This could be attributed to the fact that oversight in South Africa does not seem to be properly understood and implemented as it should be. Moreover, the influence of the majoritarian authority of the ruling party in committees seems to be colluding with the executive. Failure to take action against cases of omission brings questions on the effectiveness and efficiency of the oversight role of Parliament. The adverse consequence is the delay in the provision of good quality services to poor communities. This paper employed the theoretical approach as a method of data collection. Conclusions have been drawn that the shortcomings of the parliamentary committees compromise accountability and good governance in service delivery.

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadiehezka Paola Palencia Tejedor

This work focuses on a compared analysis of the South Afri- can decision related to the “peace and reconciliation act” of this country’s Parliament, and the Colombian decision regarding the amendment of the constitution called “The juridical framework for the peace.” Turning to the structure, it is developed in three major topics: 1. It provides a brief of the historical context, political background and an overview of the two decisions.2. It gives a structural analysis of the powers that each Court has and the nature of the constitutional mechanism through which both Courts decided the constitutionality of the said norms 3. It presents a critical analysis on the similarities and differences between the two systems and judgments. It presents some con- clusions. 


2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 882-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Tabani Mpofu

This study looked at the phenomenon of the quality of life (QoL) as measured by the Human Development Index (HDI), which is a composite statistic used to rank countries by the level of “human development”. Measuring and determining what is QoL is not an easy task. In this study, using HDI as the yardstick for QoL, the concepts of standard of living and per capita income were examined closely in relation to the role of government in its public expenditure programmes and how these programmes in turn influenced QoL. This research question was seen as the key to addressing the phenomenon of QoL. In particular, the role of government expenditure on health and education seems to signify the commitment of a government in improving the HDI or QoL. Using data on government expenditure of South Africa for the period 1995 to 2011, the relationships amongst these variables were examined. The findings indicate that there seems to be a significant correlation between HDI and government spending on health and education as a percentage of GDP, but there seems to be of no significance to include the variable government spending on health and education as a percentage of total government spending. The findings tell us that between 1995 and 2011, government spending on education as a percentage of GDP has had a positive impact on HDI. However, government spending on health as a percentage of GDP has had a retarding effect as shown by the negative coefficient of variation. It then implies that for South Africa to realize the MDG goals and improve on the HDI, public spending on health as a percentage of GDP needs to be significantly increased.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 811-819
Author(s):  
Badrul Mohamed ◽  
Mohammad Agus Yusoff ◽  
Zawiyah Mohd Zain ◽  
Dori Efendi

Social media has phenomenally replaced the traditional media. Blogs have transformed news reporting; YouTube has reinvented talent sourcing; and the trinity (Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube) have revolutionary changed the rules of the game of regime change. Enabling commoners to be producers and its interactiveness are the two most important characteristics that grant the ordinary citizens to be extra-ordinary. From Tinseltown to Alexandria, the roles of social media has been unstoppably growing. The world political events in the recent times, particularly the Arab Spring have shown a strong correlation between social media and democratization. Malaysias political experience in recent years, in particular the 12th General Election (GE-12) in 2008 is comparable to the Arab Spring in view of the alluring role of social media and its gladiatorial impacts in politics. The failure of Barisan Nasional (BN or National Front, the only ruling party since independence) to retain its customary two-third majority in GE-12 is a proof of peoples growing desire to enjoy democracy that among others offer free and fair elections, good-governance, and social justice which are dissimilar to existing communalism and strong government. At a glance, GE-13 in 2013 produced similar results as GE-12 which displayed fortification of democracy among citizens. In contrast, further analyses toward the details of GE-13 surfaced the revival of communalism and autoritarinism which have shown signs of decay in GE-12. Thus, this article explores the conflictual roles of social media which (has been functioning as an ideal public sphere) when the ruling party together with the state machinery invade the sphere of social media to satisfy their political agenda. This investigation showcases the anarchic sphere in social media is not only capable in catalyzing democratization, but also undermining democracy by propagating political Balkanization that propels disjointed feelings among multi-racial citizens.


Jurnal Socius ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wahidah Fitri

The research is purposed to describe indicates behavioral discipline a student of class XII social class in Madrasah Aliyah SMIP 1946 Banjarmasin is still very low. The research was carried out in Madrasah Aliyah SMIP 1946 Banjarmasin. Methods used in this study was a qualitative methodology, in order that understanding of object subjects will be deep and holistic. Technique data collection in this research done by means of interview, observation, and documentation. Based on the research done known way the implementation of character education through role of teachers in forming behavioral discipline students in a school namely by exemplary good which can be used role model for students, planting religious values, and motivate of students to be more disciplined in at home and outside the classroom and by means of enforcement sanction or punishment for every violation done by students in form points offense that adapted to the level. The cause of students have obey regulation good governance disciplined as often came late school, truant, out at lessons take place, it is native of several factors one of them is from family, environment, and yourselves sons of the own.Keywords : Character Education, Role Of Teachers, Discipline Students Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan perilaku disiplin siswa kelas XII IPS di Madrasah Aliyah SMIP 1946 Banjarmasin masih sangat rendah. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Madrasah Aliyah SMIP 1946 Banjarmasin, Kalimantan Selatan. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode kualitatif, sehingga dengan demikian pemahaman mengenai objek yang diteliti akan lebih mendalam dan holistik. Teknik pengumpulan data dalam penelitian ini dilakukan dengan cara wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diketahui cara implementasi pendidikan karakter melalui peran guru dalam membentuk perilaku disiplin siswa di sekolah yaitu dengan keteladanan yang baik yang dapat dijadikan panutan bagi para siswanya, penanaman nilai-nilai keagamaan, dan memberikan motivasi terhadap siswa untuk lebih berdisiplin baik di dalam maupun di luar kelas serta dengan cara penegakkan sanksi atau hukuman atas setiap pelanggaran yang dilakukan oleh siswa dalam bentuk poin pelanggaran yag disesuaikan dengan tingkat pelanggarannya. Penyebab siswa tidak menaati peraturan tata tertib disiplin seperti sering terlambat masuk sekolah, membolos, keluar pada jam pelajaran berlangsung, hal ini berasal dari beberapa faktor diantaranya dari keluarga, lingkungan, dan diri anak sendiri.Kata Kunci: Pendidikan Karakter, Peran Guru, Disiplin Siswa


Author(s):  
Elizabeth Tiur Manurung ◽  
Paulina Permatasari ◽  
Arthur Purboyo ◽  
Levithia Rinas

Internal control review towards the revenue cycle is required to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the existing management in order to support the achievement of company goals, and provide recommendations to allow corrective actions. These should be taken in order to review the role of internal control in increasing sale performance. This research used descriptive study method which could help to think systematically about various variables on a particular situation, to provide ideas for further research and to make simple decisions from the research that was done. Data collection techniques conducted were literature study and field study at Bandung Plastic company. Based on the result of internal control analysis, it was discovered that internal control set by the company will help company to handle loss of bad debt expenses, avoid fictitious sales, reduce improper sales target, reduce re-delivery cost, reduce erroneous task, and reduce environmental pollution.


Obiter ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Barrie

This note attempts to analyse the essence of presidential powers in South Africa. These powers are in essence found in sections 83−85 of the Constitution, which relate to “The President”, “Powers and functions of President” and “Executive authority of the Republic” respectively. After being in operation for close to two-and-a-half decades, questions still remain as to the precise meaning of the Constitution’s reference to the President as “head of state”, “head of the national executive” and being vested with “executive authority”. The existence of such questions, it is submitted, should be of some concern. Since the role of the President is critical in ensuring effective executive government, is it not imperative that, by this time, there should be a consensus as to the meaning of the terms “head of state”, “head of the national executive” and “executive authority”? The role of the President can be extremely politically demanding. Executive aggrandisement must be averted. Because our system of executive government is relatively unexplored given that the Constitution only dates from 1996, it needs to be developed in a truly democratic context with a keen sense of constitutionalism. This implies that the executive must be “unable to employ the strong arm tactics that an autocratic executive is by its very nature able to do”.The dilemma facing the South African President as head of state and head of the national executive and being vested with executive authority (sections 83, 84 and 85 of the Constitution) is similar to that faced by Abraham Lincoln on 4 July 1861 in his historic address to the United States Congress after the outbreak of the Civil War. Lincoln posed this question: “Must a government, of necessity, be too strong for the liberties of its own people, or too weak to maintain its own existence?”.In discussing the terms “head of state” and “head of the national executive”, the terms as they feature in the Constitution are referred to; the terms as interpreted and applied in practice are analysed and lastly the myriad questions raised by the terms are highlighted. It will emerge that when it comes to analysing these terms, there appear to be more questions than answers. It is submitted that these unanswered questions are not consonant with good governance and can only result in constant litigation.


Author(s):  
Loretta Feris

This article seeks to analyse good governance decision-making in the environmental context through an understanding and interpretation of the relationship between good environmental governance (evidenced inter alia by decision-making by public authorities) and sustainable development in South Africa.  It critically assesses recent case law in an attempt to understand the way in which our courts are evaluating authorities’ environmental decisions.  In reaching its objectives, this article considers also how environmental decisions are made in the first place and asks the question: what are the value choices underlying government’s decisions and what role does sustainable development play in informing decisions for good environmental governance.


Author(s):  
Megbowon Ebenezer ◽  
Saul Ngarava ◽  
Nsikak-Abasi Etim ◽  
Oluwabunmi Popoola

Government expenditure has been considered to be having an extent of impact on economic performance at both sectoral level and aggregate national level. Evidence from literature, however shows that this notion has not been generally accepted across countries and sectors. Considering the significance of agriculture in an economy most especially in Africa, and the consequent role of government, this study examines the impact of government expenditure on agricultural productivity in South Africa using annual time series data from 1983 to 2016. It is shown that there exists a long-run relationship between government expenditure on agriculture and agricultural productivity, and a positive significant effect only to be expected in the long-run. The finding underscores the non-negotiable role of the South African government funding of agricultural sector in an era of climate change and a highly commercialized agricultural system. Furthermore, considering the low and declining pattern of government expenditure in the sector in South Africa, the desired productivity growth impact will only be experienced in the long-run all things being equal. Improving government funding in the sector could accelerate the desired agricultural productivity in the short-term.


Author(s):  
Bronwen Qumbu

This article explores the role which courts could play in promoting water security in South Africa. As the country is one of the driest on the continent, its water security issues remain at the forefront of the service delivery conundrum. Therefore, issues of water security often need to be litigated to arrive at a favourable and just outcome. This is where the focus of this article lies. Based on a critical analysis of the legal framework governing water security and relevant case law, the article argues that courts could promote water security by discharging certain duties. Firstly, the courts must uphold the applicable law by weighing the rights and interests that relate to water and must then make reasonable, just and equitable findings. Secondly, the courts must solve water-related disputes between parties by interpreting and applying the applicable laws and policies. It is submitted that by executing these two functions, the courts contribute to a deeper understanding of the water security discourse. Finally, it is argued that through the execution of their traditional judicial functions, courts contribute to the making of law that directly affects water security.


Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nkholedzeni Sidney Netshakhuma

The aim of the article was to analyse the role of the Mpumalanga Provincial Archives (MPA), South Africa, in society in compliance with the Mpumalanga Archives Act (MAA), 1998 (Act No. 14 of 1998). The qualitative study employed document analysis, interviews and observation as forms of data collection. The population for the study was drawn from a few selected departmental representatives in the province as well as MPA representatives. The key finding was that there was non-compliance with the MAA, which has serious implications on national memory and identity. The key recommendation was for the provincial archives to appoint an advisory council to advise the provincial archives on issues of archives management. The researcher concluded that archives play an essential role in the preservation of history, culture and societal heritage.


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