Parliament, Monday, 30 June 2025 – The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will hold Policy Debates on four Budget Votes at its plenary sittings this week. The NCOP plays a crucial role in ensuring that provincial interests are taken into account within the national government framework, including budget allocations, among others.
The policy debates on budget votes provide a platform for Ministers and Deputy Ministers to unpack the government's work and present their spending plans and priorities for the year. This process is also part of Parliament’s consideration of the national budget.
Meaningful public participation and parliamentary oversight over budget processes increase social ownership of the budget and enhance the effective allocation of funds while reducing wasteful prioritisation. The constitution requires Parliament to engage actively with the budget process in the interests of good governance and financial transparency.
The constitution requires Parliament to engage actively with the budget process in the interests of good governance and financial transparency. In 2009, Parliament passed the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act. This Act grants Parliament the authority to amend the overall budget and the budgets of specific national government departments and entities.
During the policy debate on budget votes the same rules and protocol applied during NCOP plenary sittings for photographers and broadcasters also apply.
The rules are as follows:
FILMING: No filming is allowed by outside videographers. Film and sound footage, i.e. live feed, may be obtained from the Broadcast and Audiovisual Unit of Parliament. Broadcasters can apply for a live feed through the Parliamentary Communications Services’ Media Relations Unit. Please apply at least one day before the sitting you wish to cover.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Permission must be sought to photograph proceedings. Photographers can apply to the Parliamentary Communication Services Media Relations Unit. Please apply at least one day ahead of the sitting you wish to photograph.
- Photographers granted permission to take photographs of proceedings may not use a flash or tripod.
- Photographers granted permission must follow instructions from Parliamentary Communication Services and Parliament Protection Services officials.
- Photographers must wear a bib for the duration of their stay.
- A media organisation must have commissioned photographers seeking permission to photograph proceedings.
- Official photographers attached to government departments or entities must also obtain permission from the Parliamentary Communication Services Media Relations Unit and submit their applications through their official email addresses.
DETAILS OF THIS WEEK’S (1 TO 3 JULY) POLICY DEBATES ON BUDGET VOTE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
TUESDAY, 1 JULY
14:00 – 16:00
Debate on Vote 17: Higher Education and Training
WEDNESDAY, 2 JULY
14:00 – 16:00
Debate on Vote 3: Cooperative Governance and vote 15: Traditional Affairs
THURSDAY, 3 JULY
14:00 – 16:00
(1) Debate on Vote 5: Home Affairs
(2) Debate on Vote 40: Transport
Note to media
Members of the media wishing to attend the NA Mini Plenaries physically should send their details (full name, name of media house, ID or passport number) to Mr Mlindi Mpindi at mmpindi@parliament.gov.za and to Mr Manelisi Ntsodo at mntsodo@parliament.gov.za. For enquiries related to budget vote debates filming and photography, please contact them on 081 716 7329 (Mr Mpindi) and 081 716 2021 (Mr Ntsodo).
NB: Members of the Parliamentary Gallery Association will use their Parliamentary access permits.
Members of the public may follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV (DSTV Channel 408) via the live stream on Parliament’s YouTube channel, Facebook and Twitter pages. Please see the links below.
You may subscribe to the Parliament YouTube channel to receive instant notification of live feeds.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParliamentofRSA
Facebook: https://facebook.com/ParliamentofRSA
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ParliamentofRSA
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
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