NCOP- National Council of Provinces

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) is one of the two Houses of Parliament. The NCOP is constitutionally mandated to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government. This is done through participation in the national legislative process and by providing a national forum for consideration of issues affecting provinces.

The NCOP also plays a unique role in the promotion of the principles of Cooperative Government and Intergovernmental Relations. It ensures that the three spheres of government work together in performing their unique functions in terms of the Constitution and that, in doing so, they do not encroach on each other’s area of competence. This ensures that synergy exists between the spheres on matters of concurrent competence.