Effective opposition 101: What does it take to hold government to account?

Lester Kiewit speaks to Athol Trollip, Provincial Chair of ActionSA in the Eastern Cape and Parliamentary Leader of ActionSA in the National Assembly.

Listen below.

MK, the largest political party in the National Assembly that is not in government, is now South Africa's official opposition.

It forms part of an opposition block, the so-called 'Progressive Caucus' also made up of the EFF and a few smaller parties.

Will these parties offer any meaningful and constructive contribution to Parliament? What does it take to hold government to account, through the various mechanisms outlined in the Constitution?

Trollip admits the current situation is a completely new dynamic in South African politics.

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"It's relatively new terrain, but many people in this new parliament have been in various coalitions at various levels in the past 10, 15 years... you can only gain experience by doing things, so we are learning as we go."

- Athol Trollip, Parliamentary leader - ActionSA

Trollip says ActionSA places itself between the two main blocks in Parliament, the ANC-led multi-party government and the 'progressive caucus', made up primarily of the MK Party and the EFF.

He casts doubt on the 'progressive' moniker.

"We believe progressive caucus is a misnomer, because they are more regressive, being anti-constitution."

- Athol Trollip, Parliamentary leader - ActionSA

"We believe our role is going to be a constructive opposition, critical where we have to be and cooperative where we can be."

- Athol Trollip, Parliamentary leader - ActionSA

Trollip says there are many ways for opposition parties to be effective.

"Portfolio committees... that's where the real work of Parliament takes place... that's where you measure whether the government is working well."

- Athol Trollip, Parliamentary leader - ActionSA

"Then, of course, you have motions in Parliament... you've got questions... that's a very powerful way of holding government to account."

- Athol Trollip, Parliamentary leader - ActionSA

The essence of being in opposition is to be critical and to observe, says Trollip.

"If you are a committed and competent member of parliament you can do incredible work."

- Athol Trollip, Parliamentary leader - ActionSA

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Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.