A critical assessment of the Eastern Cape legislature in the governance of the Eastern Cape Province (2004-2008)

Abstract

This study focuses on the relationship between an overseer and the overightee with respect to implementation of the oversightee's responsibilities as against the roles of the overseer. Simply put, this study focuses on whether the Legislature of the Eastern Cape is in a position to make a meaningful contribution in changing the service delivery trajectory in the Province for the better. Various reports, both official and media, have been pointing to a bleak picture in the quality and quantity of service delivery in the Province. Key questions are, can both elected and appointed leaders in the public service fulfil the role of being agents for change, given the negative public image of the Province? Is the Legislature poised to influence change for the better, given the oversight responsibility over the Executive. Can the maximum of eleven members of the Executive Council be able to change this unwarranted state of affairs on their own? Do members of the Legislature as a collective carry the desired clout and respect to influence others (the Executive and its Administration) as overseers (supervisors) on behalf of the people? Understanding, that a revolutionary leader is a leader with a clear vision of the future state, which may involve a change in the philosophy, beliefs and principles of society. This type of leader demands commitment, courage, and sacrifice from the followers. This is a leader who is focused on turning the status quo on its head, and in order to do so, this leader needs help of many flowers to successfully bring about the revolution. (http://www.money­zine.com/ definitions/ carrers-Di cti onary/Revo I uti onery-Leaders/) Does the Eastern Cape Province have revolutionary leaders?