Parliament, Sunday 17 November 2019 – A Review Session of the 1994 Women’s Charter, the Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Questions to the Deputy President and 36 Committee Meetings, are among a wide range of key matters on the parliamentary agenda this week.
On Tuesday, 19 November, Parliament will kick start the Provincial Review Sessions of the 1994 Women Charter in Gugulethu, Cape Town, under the theme: “Twenty-Five Year Review of the Women’s Charter for Effective Equality”. The aim of the review is to take stock and assess the women’s rights regime in its entirety, including all policy and legislative instruments, identify gaps and make proposals for amendments. The review process was officially launched this year during the Women’s Parliament in August and will run country-wide over a period of twelve months.
In 1995 South Africa ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children (UNCRC). This committed the government to ensure that the safety and protection of children is paramount within the country’s policies and programmes. Thus, on Wednesday, 20 November, the National Assembly will host the 30th Anniversary of the UNCRC and children representatives from all provinces will be in attendance for the Commemoration. During this day, the Child Rights Ambassadors who are annually nominated by their peers at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliaments engage with politicians from various political parties and chairpersons of relevant portfolio committees. They will share the Children’s Manifesto and discuss matters to be included in the next National Plan of Action for Children and how they could have platforms to keep duty bearers to account.
Also to take place on Wednesday, the Ministers from the Social Services Cluster will answer questions from Members of Parliament in the National Assembly. This cluster comprises of Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, the Minister of Basic Education, Minister of Human Settlement, Water and Sanitation, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Social Development. This will be followed by a debate on the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill. The Subcommittee on Review of the National Council of Provinces Rules will meet on Wednesday morning. There are no Plenary Sittings in the NCOP this week.
On Thursday the Deputy President will appear before Members of Parliament in the National Assembly to answer question. Parliament uses a range of instruments to hold the executive accountable as section 92(2) of the Constitution stipulates that Cabinet Members are accountable collectively and individually to Parliament for the exercise of their powers and performances of their functions.
About 36 Parliamentary Committees are expected to meet next week.
TUESDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2019
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology, (National Assembly), Parliamentary inquiry into the allegations of corruption, maladministration, nepotism and abuse of authority at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT); Briefing by the Administrator of the University of Fort Hare (UFH) on progress report in restoring governance and administration at the University, finances, infrastructure and disbursement of NSFAS funding to students],
Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, (National Assembly), Briefing by the DHA and IEC on 2018 High-Level Panel Recommendations on changes that needed to be done on legislation;
Joint Meeting: Portfolio and Select Committees on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Health, Social Development, Justice and Correctional Services, Basic Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Police, Health & Social Services, Security & Justice, and Multi Party Women’s Caucus, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), Briefing by the Interim Steering Committee on Gender Based Violence and Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities;
Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation and Human Settlements, (National Council of Provinces), Briefing by the Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation on 2017/2018 post audit remedial action plan and departmental approach to deal with water crisis in the municipalities; Briefing by the City of Tshwane Municipality on water crisis and intergovernmental plan / engagement to deal with the crisis;
Standing Committee on Finance, (National Assembly), Consideration and adoption of the Committee reports on the 2019 Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (TLAB), 2019 Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill (TALAB), 2019 Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill (Rates Bill);
WEDNESDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2019
Portfolio Committee on Police, (National Assembly), Western Cape CPF and Neighbour Watch Meeting;
Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communication, (National Council of Provinces), Briefing by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies on the Ikamva Digital Skills Institute Bill; Consideration of outstanding minutes,
Select Committee on Security and Justice, (National Council of Provinces), Briefing by the Department of Home Affairs and SARS on the practicalities of the SARS working relationship at the border; The Legal Advisors’ briefing on the amendments to the Border Management Authority Bill
FRIDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2019
Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, (National Assembly), Presentation by the Content Advisor, Human Settlements on Petitions related to Housing issues;
Select Committee on Security and Justice, (National Council of Provinces), Briefing by the SA Navy on the Operation of the Hydrographic Office and challenges experienced; Oversight Visit to the SA Navy Hydrographic Office, 10:00
For full schedule of Committee Meetings (updated daily), please click:
https://www.parliament.gov.za/storage/app/media/Docs/zlist/ca251cbe-4b5e-4726-a5b8-7ae517aa7219.pdf
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