Background
The overall purpose of the courses under the LCBP is to enhance the performance of Members of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures to execute their constitutional responsibilities through a professional development programme anchored in the core functions of the Legislature and the role and responsibilities of Members. Concurrently, modules of the LCBP are adaptable for the capacity building of Municipal Councillors.
The architecture of the LCBP comprises a series of components, from certificate course to postgraduate qualifications. Flexible entry and exit routes have been created to respond to the diversity of experience, academic qualifications and other learning needs
4.8.1 Legislative Sector Course in Governance and Leadership
Purpose
The purpose of this Course is to:
- Enhance the performance of Members to execute their constitutional responsibilities as legislators more effectively;
- Enhance the performance of legislative officials to execute their supporting roles and responsibilities to legislators more effectively; and
- Provide access to professional development and qualifications for lifelong learning and career
Target Group
The target audience for the Course includes:
- Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Legislatures;
- Members of Municipal Councils; and
- Professional, managerial and support staff in Parliament, Provincial Legislatures and Municipal
Upon successful completion of this course, Members will be able to:
- Lead more effectively in holding government to account; Analyse policy, legislation, strategy and implementation;
- Support Members more effectively in discharging their legislative roles;
- Make judgments and interventions; and
- Apply technology in effective communication and decision
Minimum Requirements for Enrollment
The unique LCBP learning pathway also accommodates MPs and MPLs; Municipal Managers and Councillors without a degree while upholding higher education standards and NQF principles.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Lead more effectively in holding government to
- Analyse policy, legislation, strategy and
- Make judgments and
- Apply technology in effective communication and decision
Course Outline
The modules of the introductory course are as follows:
| Module | Description |
| Values Based Leadership for Decision Making | This module provides the opportunity for participants to reflect on their leadership approach and commitments and their implications for decision making. |
| Action Research for the Legislative Process | This module provides the essential research tools which enable greater engagement in policy making and oversight. |
| Democratic Governance and Legislative Process | This module provides a foundation and context for the professional work of participants by reflecting on the political economy of governance and the challenges of the legislative process. |
| Media Communication | This module enables participants to use written and spoken communication to get their message across and prepares them to engage with the media more effectively. |
Accreditation
This Course is offered by the National School of Government (NSG) in partnership with HEI as a short learning programme.This means the course is not registered on the SAQA database but is internally benchmarked and quality assured by the NSG in line with standards and principles of the Higher Education Qualifications Framework.
Approach
The facilitation approach focuses on critical analysis, collaborative learning, and applying theoretical perspectives to practical work situations. The learning, application and reflection cycle will be used to ensure sufficient time to practice new skills and test new ideas and concepts.
Duration
The modules are best scheduled four weeks apart. Thus, over a period of six months, participants are afforded sufficient time to assimilate and reflect on the contents of these modules, apply the insights they have learned, receive support and guidance from facilitators, and complete relevant assignments for summative assessment.The modules are delivered in contact sessions of three (3) full days.
Supplementary interventions
- Leading Innovation in the Public Service
- Productivity Breakthrough Workshop
These interventions offer further opportunity to deepen the practical application of insights while promoting the achievement of team and organisational objectives.
4.8.1 Graduate Certificate in Advanced Governance and Public Leadership (GCAGPL)
The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Governance and Public Leadership (GCAGPL) is part of Legislature Capacity Building Programmes (LCBP). It is strictly targeted at members of National Parliament and Provincial Legislatures.
Purpose
The purpose of the GCAGPL is to:
- Enhance the strategic and ethical role of public leaders in representing the people and ensuring government and state institutions meet their developmental mandates; and
- Advance the professional capabilities of public leaders by providing a channel for further learning
Programme Structure:
The GCAGPL will explore some of the key areas of governance and public leadership through an integrated approach. Each of the four modules will be assessed independently of each other, but you will also be required to complete an integrated project in order to meet the requirements for the certificate of competence.The modules developed are outlined briefly in the table below.
- Managing Delivery, Programmes and Projects: This module empowers participants to understand and manage public sector operations for service It also enables learners to initiate, manage and conduct oversight on programmes and projects for effective and efficient public policy implementation
- Oversight, Monitoring and Evaluation: The overall purpose of the module is to enable participants to apply knowledge and tools of monitoring and evaluation for effective oversight over In particular, this module promotes the
understanding of the Sector Oversight Model, government’s outcomes approach, performance and evaluation management
- Financial Oversight and Accountability: This module promotes financial accountability and fiscal prudence in the utilization of state It ensures that legislatures apply appropriate oversight measures in relation to public financial planning and management.
- Policy, Politics and Power: This module looks at the political economy environment of public It takes as a foundational premise the concept that policy is the outcome of the complex, multi-layered political process of strategy and contestation. It provides learners with knowledge, skills and applied competence.
Duration
Each module is presented over three (3) days excluding sessions for academic support.
Target Group
- Members of parliament (MPs)
- Members of Provincial Legislature (MPLs)
- Public service officials in the Legislative