As the Speaker, Cllr. Jerence Dikane the key role in the Lejweleputswa District Municipality is to ensure oversight, accountability, integrity, discipline of office, and the efficient running of Council Meetings. It is the responsibility of the Speaker to guard the integrity of the legislative process and play an important role in the oversight that the council must exercise over the actions of the executives. He is also responsible for ensuring that the municipality fulfils its public participation responsibilities.

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Key responsibilities of a Speaker include: 

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• Encouraging the participation of communities and community organizations in the decision-making process of the municipality.

• Developing mechanisms to ensure and monitor the participation of communities in the decision-making process. 

• Ensuring that communities and community organizations are educated on their rights and responsibilities to participate and give input to the municipality’s policy development processes, as well as planning and budgeting processes. 

• Ensuring that the Standing Rules of Council are developed and regularly updated, and in this regard, is delegated the authority to establish the Rules Committee and to ensure the functioning of the committee. 

• Exercise of delegated functioning, including:
  - Facilitating public participation in legislation matters.
  - Establishment and functioning of ward committees. 
  - Provide support to councilors.

• Managing public participation through ward committees, stakeholders’ forums, petition processes, and enhancing the public participation role of the Speaker. 

• Providing effective strategic support to the units in the Speaker’s office to enhance the role of the Speaker.