The new South African parliamentary committee system: its' role and effectiveness

Abstract

This study will focus on the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa with particular reference to the role and effectiveness of the new parliamentary committee. The committee system has been re-modelled. The historical roots and functions of committees will be traced so as to indicate to what extent their roles and functions have changed. Specific consideration will be given to the role of the committee system within the broader context of transformation in South Africa. The search for a system of government that is effective, accountable and transparent is in its teething stages. There needs to be a delicate balance between transformation and service delivery in order to effect a constitutionally - entrenched system of parliamentary democracy and administrative justice. The transformation of parliament is "work in progress" and the process will be guided by legislative as well as by operational changes.