An exploratory study of organisational communication practices in North West Provincial Legislature for public participation

Abstract

The North West Provincial Legislature, as an arm of government, is mandated to communicate with the public during its public participation processes through different communications methods such as internal newsletter; website and social media platforms; public hearings, public meetings and sectoral parliaments. The current study explored the effectiveness and efficiency of these communication methods and feedback mechanisms used by the legislature to achieve public participation. The participatory paradigm under the development communication approach was utilised as a theoretical basis to explain how communication is used in participatory processes in the context of government. As the study solicited opinions and perceptions of the internal and external stakeholders of the North West Provincial Legislature, a qualitative research approach was used through semi-structured interviews and self-administered questionnaires. The stakeholders were selected due to their familiarity with organisational communication processes used for public participation, such as public hearings when law-making processes are facilitated in the North West Provincial Legislature. Findings from the study indicated that the communication methods used by the legislature could be more effective and efficient in bolstering public participation. The majority of respondents indicated that different units in the legislature work in silos. There were also no guiding documents, such as communication strategies or policies, to guide communication in public participation processes. As a result, such a vacuum affects how the legislature communicates with the public during public hearings, public meetings and sectoral parliaments. The respondents further highlighted that although the legislature is mandated to provide feedback on how it held the Executive accountable on service delivery issues, the feedback mechanisms. The study concludes and recommends that the legislature embarks on periodic campaigns to educate the people about its work and how it can assist them with public participation processes, such as holding the Executive accountable. The legislature should ensure it achieves its public participation mandate through convenient communication practices with relevant and specific communities.