MIDDELBURG – The Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature is taking its public participation programme to all 29 wards in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality this week, preparing residents to raise service delivery and governance concerns during the Taking the Legislature to the People (TLP) programme later this month.
The public participation sessions are being held from 11 to 17 August 2026, ahead of the main TLP programme scheduled for 31 August to 4 September 2026 in Steve Tshwete.
Highveld Chronicle visited Hlalamnandi Community Hall on Thursday, 13 August, where residents were briefed on the roles and functions of the Provincial Legislature, its composition and how it holds the executive accountable.
Facilitators also explained that public participation is a constitutional right and not a favour. Sections 17, 115(a) and 118 of the Constitution provide for peaceful assembly and petitions and require the Legislature to involve the public in law-making and oversight.
Facilitator Jabu Mthimunye said residents have a constitutional right to participate in government processes.
“Citizens have the constitutional right to assemble peacefully, demonstrate, and hand over petitions. The Legislature is legally bound to receive public petitions and submissions, and to ensure communities are involved in both law-making and holding the government accountable.”
Hlasiele Mashabela, speaking on behalf of residents, said the session helped community members understand how they could raise their concerns and participate in legislative processes.
“We were given an opportunity to express our complaints and challenges on service delivery and government matters,” he said.
He said residents were also able to ask questions and receive clarity from facilitators.
“This helped us better understand how the Legislature works and how we can participate in law-making and oversight.”
Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature spokesperson Paul Mbenyane said the TLP programme is intended to ensure that government delivers on commitments made through State of the Province Addresses, Budget Speeches, Integrated Development Plans and State of the Municipal Addresses.
“TLP is not different from the Legislature’s daily work of law-making, oversight and public participation. But this programme takes a full week in one municipality to focus on local issues,” Mbenyane said.
The programme will include public hearings where residents can raise service delivery concerns, oversight visits to government-funded projects and stakeholder engagements with women, young people and people with disabilities.
The week will conclude with a full Legislature Sitting on the fifth day, during which the Premier will respond to issues raised during the programme.
Mbenyane said issues raised by communities are either addressed immediately or referred to relevant government departments, which are required to report back to the Legislature.
The TLP programme is conducted in three phases: the Pre-TLP phase, held in June 2026; the main programme from 31 August to 4 September; and a Post-TLP Feedback session scheduled to take place about six months later.
