Parliament, Sunday 13 March 2022 – Both President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Deputy, David Mabuza, will this week appear in the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) respectively for oral replies to questions from Members of Parliament. The President's question and answer session will be the only agenda item in the NA’s hybrid plenary scheduled for Thursday, 17 March, at 2 pm at the Good Hope Chamber.
Questions for the oral reply by the President are scheduled at least once a quarter during session time within the National Assembly’s annual programme. Up to six questions on matters of national or international importance may be asked during the three-hour session. The three hours are allotted to cover the main questions and associated supplementary questions.
Meanwhile, Deputy President David Mabuza will also reply to questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday at 2 pm.
Asking questions to the President and his deputy is one of the mechanisms Parliament uses to scrutinise and oversee executive action.
Other items that will take centre stage on Parliament’s agenda this week include a ministerial briefing session on water and sanitation, a debate on an urgent matter of national public importance, as well as 26 Committee meetings.
On Tuesday at 10 am, delegates to the NCOP will hold a virtual briefing with the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu, on progress in eradicating the gaps in the provision of water and sanitation.
On the same day at 2 pm, Members of the NA will debate an Urgent Matter of National Importance, to be led by the Leader of the Opposition, on: “The impact of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine on the South African Economy.” After the debate, the NA hybrid plenary will consider the following reports:
- Recommendation of candidates for appointment by the President to serve as commissioners for Public Service Commission
- Report of Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament on Parliament of Republic of South Africa’s 2020/21 Annual Report
- Report of Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament on Parliament of Republic of South Africa’s draft Annual Performance Plan for 2022/23
- Report of Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament on Parliament of Republic of South Africa’s performance in first quarter of 2021/22.
Members of Parliament in the NA conclude their business on the day with motions without notice and notices of motion.
On Wednesday at 9 am, delegates to the NCOP will hold a Women’s Charter Review Law High Level Session, and later at 2 pm, the house will hold questions and answers session with the Deputy President Mabuza on the virtual platform.
On the same day at 3 pm, the NA hybrid plenary sitting will ask oral questions to the Ministers from the Governance Cluster. The Cluster comprises Ministers responsible for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Ministry in the Presidency; Public Service and Administration and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.
On Thursday at 8.30 am, the NA will hold its regular weekly programme committee meeting virtually.
The NCOP will conclude its business on Thursday with a virtual debate on State Capacity under the theme: “Building a developmental state to take the lead in building a better life for all”.
There are 26 committee meetings scheduled for this week to deal with various legislation and provide updates on the implementation of service delivery targets as outlined below:
TUESDAY, 15 MARCH
Standing Committee on Appropriations: Comments by South African Local Government Association on the 2022 Division of Revenue Bill.
Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture: Briefing by the South African Sports Confederation Olympic Committee (SASCOC) on the Commonwealth Games taking place in July 2022.
Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy: Briefing by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Central Energy Fund, National Treasury and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), respectively, on the impact of the increasing fuel prices on the economy and possible alternatives and/or considerations in addressing increases in fuel prices.
Portfolio Committee on Basic Education: Consideration and adoption of draft minutes and reports Budget Review – Department of Basic Education (DBE) (Incl. Sector Plan, Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan.
Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Progress report by Limpopo Province on addressing the challenges raised in the Auditor-General’s Report on financial management on government’s Covid-19 initiatives.
Portfolio Committee on Communications: Briefing by SAPO on its turnaround strategy and financial status and all outstanding issues; Briefing by USAASA/USAF on non-achievement of targets.
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry: Briefing by the Competition Commission on its Economic Concentration Report; Formal consideration of the report on the 2nd and 3rd quarter financial and non-financial performance of the DTIC.
Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Adoption of minutes of the previous meeting; Briefing on the First and Second Quarterly Performance Report for 2021/22 by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Isimangaliso Wetland Park Authority (ISPA).
Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour: Deliberations and finalisation of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Bill [B 21B – 2020] (s75) (COIDA) and Employment Equity Amendment Bill [B 14B—2020].
WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH
Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure: Consideration of the Expropriation Bill [B23-2020].
Standing Committee on Appropriations: Public hearings on the 2022 Division of Revenue Bill.
Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Discussion and adoption of the Local Government Municipal Systems Amendment Bill.
Portfolio Committee on Police: Committee deliberation on the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedure Amendment Bill.
Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture: Briefing by the South African Rugby Union (SARU) on its 2020/2021 annual report.
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry: Briefing by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission on its financial and non-financial performance for the 2021/22 financial year to date (Quarters 1-3.
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation and Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sport, Arts and Culture: Briefing by the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on its Report on Gender Transformation Investigations in TVET colleges.
Portfolio Committee on Social Development: Briefing by the Department of Social Development on responses to ALL submissions by stakeholders on the Children’s Amendment Bill.
Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development: Seminar: SMME & Co-ops: Key to an inclusive and sustainable recovery - unlocking the potential of SMMEs during a pandemic.
Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans: Briefing by DOD on the 2nd and 3rd Quarterly Reports and update on the BRRR recommendation Briefing by the AGSA on its audit opinions of contracts related to Project Thusano.
Select Committee on Appropriations: Briefing by Financial and Fiscal Commission & PBO on the 2022 Division of Revenue Bill.
Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure: Briefing by South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral)on its Annual Report2020/21and the impact of Covid-19.
Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communications: Briefing by the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies of the unbundling of the Postbank from the South African Post Office as a stand-alone entity including its financial sustainability as well as the services it provides to the public vis-à-vis other commercial banks.
THURSDAY, 17 MARCH
Joint Standing Committee on Defence: Briefing by Military Ombud on progress with challenges facing the institution, progress related to legislative amendments and progress related to ongoing investigations. Briefing by DFSC and the Minister of Defence on the outcome of the ‘retreat’ on the implementation of DFSC recommendations.
FRIDAY, 18 FEBRUARY
Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture: Briefing by Netball South Africa on its 2020/2021 annual report and an update on preparations for the 2023 Netball World Cup and other matters.
Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy: Briefing by the MINCOSA and the Labour movement, respectively, on the impact of the High Court Judgement in September 2021, relating to the Mining Charter.
Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Adoption of minutes of the previous meeting; Colloquium on Animal Welfare.
For the latest full schedule of Committee meetings (updated regularly), please visit: https://www.parliament.gov.za/committee-schedules
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