sahr2001 - Health Systems Trust

15 • Voices of Parliamentarians
The Parliamentary Experience
Becoming a Legislator
The majority of legislators interviewed were elected by their parties to be
members of parliament. Therefore being a parliamentarian is seen as part of
the ‘struggle’, inspired by a background of ‘activism’ and the desire to play a
role in creating a better life for all South Africans. But interestingly when it
comes to leaving, only one acknowledged that it would be a party decision
and that it would be the party who would ‘re-deploy’ them.
Skills, Competencies and Experience
The history of South Africa and its previous years of turbulence resulted in
parliamentarians’ training and work experience being exceptionally rich and
varied.
Formal qualifications mentioned include:
◆ Degree in social work
◆ Teaching
◆ Photography diploma
◆ Trained/professional nurse
◆ Nurse educator/trainer
◆ Qualified general nurse and midwifery
◆ Public health nurse with Masters in Primary Health Education.
There is a need for greater training opportunities, particularly for those who
feel their training is inadequate as a result of years of political struggle.
Specifically, there is a need for a greater understanding of the law, in terms of
reading and interpretation, use of legal terminology and understanding the
legal framework for legislation. Others cited economics and finance as an
area for further education. Many feel the need for greater IT training including
the use of internet and e-mail.
Commitment, Visions and Dreams
There appears to be a shared and collective dream of equity and the delivery
of services for all:
“The delivery of health services and effective and efficient delivery, that was my
vision and my dream getting into the legislature to ensure that we really achieve
the optimal health for the people of the province, that is my vision to see that
every citizen or person ... gets that optimal health.”
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