NORTH WEST LEGISLATURE DEPUTY SPEAKER ATTENDS LEARNER PROVINCIAL ROAD SAFETY DEBATE IN MAHIKENG

The Deputy Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Hon. Mokone Collen Maine has attended the Provincial Road Safety Debate held by the Legislature in conjunction with the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management in the Legislature Chamber. About 100 learners of Grade 9 and Grade 10 including 32 participants from schools across the North West Province discussed transport safety and compliance matters under the theme “Lack of proper spatial planning is responsible for the high rate of pedestrian fatalities in South Africa,” and also participated on the Participatory Education Technique projects. Other stakeholders included 70 Educators, Adjudicators, departmental officials and various sponsors.

Hon. Maine said it is the responsibility of the legislative sector to promote participatory democracy by allowing sectors such as schools and learners to debate on various developmental topics. “We appreciate learners and the young people who are attending this important event as they practice public participation in democratic processes by debating important aspects of transport and public safety in schools. Public participation shouldn’t happen in these debates if we don’t ensure that the resolutions taken are implemented accordingly by the relevant government departments.

“We also urge the departments to ensure that challenges of scholar transport in our schools are addressed as they affect road safety and learner transport and teaching and learning. The learners are true ambassadors of the provincial road safety and democratic principles,” said Hon. Maine.