Public Affairs students experience democracy in action at Gauteng Legislature

Public Affairs students from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) gained valuable first-hand insight into South Africa’s democratic and legislative processes during a recent educational excursion to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

Organised by the Department of Public Management, the visit brought classroom learning to life by exposing students to the day-to-day workings of a legislative institution and providing practical insight into public administration, governance and democratic decision-making.

The excursion formed part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between academic theory and professional practice. Through direct engagement with legislative practitioners, students explored the roles, responsibilities and operational functions of the provincial legislature.

The programme included presentations on the mandate and responsibilities of the Legislature, the law-making process and the provincial budgeting system, including the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The sessions enabled students to connect their academic studies with the practical realities of legislative administration, public participation, oversight and financial governance.

A highlight of the visit was a mock legislative sitting in the GPL Council Chamber. During the interactive session, students were introduced to procedures governing legislative proceedings and participated in simulations of parliamentary processes. Demonstrations of the roles of the Speaker and Members of the Legislature provided students with a practical understanding of how debate, decision-making and oversight unfold within a legislative environment.

The experience also highlighted the importance of leadership, accountability, procedural discipline and democratic representation. By engaging directly with legislative processes, students were able to move beyond textbook concepts and develop a deeper appreciation of how public institutions operate in practice.

Honourable Thulani Kunene, Deputy Chairperson of Committees at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, delivered a keynote address during the programme. Reflecting on the legacy of the youth of 1976, he encouraged students to recognise the important role young people continue to play in strengthening democracy and advancing public participation in governance.

The excursion concluded with a guided tour of the Legislature, during which students learned more about the institution’s history, heritage and contribution to democratic governance in Gauteng and South Africa.

Students described the experience as informative, inspiring and highly relevant to their studies and future careers. The visit strengthened their understanding of legislative administration, policy-making, budgeting and public participation while offering valuable exposure to the realities of working in the public sector.

Through experiential learning initiatives such as this, the Department of Public Management continues to equip students with the knowledge, practical skills and professional competencies needed to contribute meaningfully to public administration and governance.

The excursion also underscored the value of collaboration between higher education institutions and government entities in preparing capable, ethical and work-ready graduates for the public sector.