BRIDGES

programme

Linking Civil Society with Members of Parliament – to Strengthen Good Governance.

Bridges is a partnership between the Africa Centre and The Green Connection, which aims to inform and empower civil society organisations and new entrants to parliament so that new MPs may fulfil their constitutional mandate by meaningfully participating in the parliamentary process by holding the executive to account, addressing wasteful expenditure, and linking the broader electorate to parliamentary processes. Bridges also seeks to strengthen the links between parliamentarians, civil society and progressive business, to enable the sharing of practical solutions to our most pressing problems.

Overview

South African parliamentary democracy has been eroded over decades, with many Members of Parliament (MPs) serving narrow party interests and failing to use parliamentary processes to hold the government to account. With the 2024 Government of National Unity (GNU), an increased diversity of MPs have entered parliament, many for the first time. If they are informed and accountable to their constituencies, there will be a BRIDGE between society and the executive (the President, Deputy President and Ministers), which will contribute to a vibrant democracy where well-informed MPs and the people that they represent are able to hold the executive to account.

We will improve democratic governance by creating spaces for engagement between civil society organisations and MPs. In this way, participation and inclusion will be enhanced. If all citizens have an opportunity to participate and are given the platform to influence how they are governed, parliament will become more open, accountable and responsive. Equipping MPs with local knowledge will serve to make them more effective in their oversight of the executive.

Program Team Members

Christopher Scholtz | The Green Connection.

Christopher Scholtz who has a decade of in-depth knowledge of the institution of parliament. He has worked on analysing policy documents and legislation, covering parliamentary monitoring and participation.

Bathandwa Xhalile | The Green Connection |Bridges Co-ordinator.

Bathandwa is the Bridges Programme Coordinator, strengthening civic engagement with Parliament and promoting equitable participation in oversight processes.

Ralph Freese | Africa Centre.

Ralph Freese who facilitates policy interventions in a range of development spaces.

Wayne Morris | Africa Centre.

Wayne Morris, who worked in the Constitutional Assembly, formulating our constitution, focusing on outreach to provincial, traditional and local leadership.

Lisa Makaula | The Green Connection.

Lisa Makaula, who brings the voice of youth into parliamentary participatory processes.