Police Portfolio Committee Chair Van Wyk reflects on police v. protesters

On Tuesday, before turning the Portfolio Committee on Police's attention to considering the controversial Private Security Industry Regulation Amendment (PSIRA) bill, Chairperson Annelize Van Wyk began the meeting on a sombre note by making mention of the fact that this year has not started off well for SAPS, with regards ...

ACDP leader Rev Meshoe returns to parliament after six month break

People's Assembly (PA) notes that African Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe is back in the big house this year. After a six month leave of absence from Parliament, Meshoe was spotted attending the Police Portfolio Committee's first meeting of 2014, on Tuesday 28 November.

When asked why he ...

ACDP leader Rev Meshoe returns to parliament after six month break

People's Assembly (PA) notes that African Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe is back in the big house this year. After a six month leave of absence from Parliament, Meshoe was spotted attending the Police Portfolio Committee's first meeting of 2014, on Tuesday 28 November.

When asked why he ...

Teamwork in the Parliamentary Committees


I have been visiting Parliament for six months and during that time I have certainly gained insight into the ‘goings on’ of South Africa’s political spectrum. While politics plays a key role in the parliamentary setting, it is certainly not the be all and end all when it comes to ...

Parliamentary meetings can go two ways…

As an observer, one is either fortunate to attend a committee meeting where Members of Parliament are thoroughly prepared and willing to respectfully engage with one another on matters, but other meetings fail to grasp your interest from inception and the free snacks provided by Parliament may become the highlight ...

Parliament can feed the poor

One thing that can be said about attending parliamentary committee meetings (unrelated to the discourse), is that the food served to MPs and visitors during the meetings is plentiful and delicious. Fresh filter coffee and cream, scones with whipped cream and jam, fine cheeses with crackers, croissant sandwiches with a ...

Parliament can feed the poor

One thing that can be said about attending parliamentary committee meetings (unrelated to the discourse), is that the food served to MPs and visitors during the meetings is plentiful and delicious. Fresh filter coffee and cream, scones with whipped cream and jam, fine cheeses with crackers, croissant sandwiches with a ...

Review of Parliament's Rule Book

The current review of the Rules of Parliament is not only in compliance with statutory requirements but in response to pressures from the leading and minority opposition parties in Parliament. Moves made by the Democratic Alliance to pass a Motion of No Confidence on the President of the Republic last ...

Review of Parliament's Rule Book

The current review of the Rules of Parliament is not only in compliance with statutory requirements but in response to pressures from the leading and minority opposition parties in Parliament. Moves made by the Democratic Alliance to pass a Motion of No Confidence on the President of the Republic last ...

Teamwork in the Parliamentary Committees


I have been visiting Parliament for six months and during that time I have certainly gained insight into the ‘goings on’ of South Africa’s political spectrum. While politics plays a key role in the parliamentary setting, it is certainly not the be all and end all when it comes to ...

About Impressions

Not many people know there are fifty committees in Parliament - each assigned to oversee the work of a government department and YOU are welcome to attend. Email us if you would like to sit in on a parliamentary committee meeting. - all you need is an ID or passport to visit Parliament. Contributions about your impressions gladly accepted.

Here are comments from citizens attending parliamentary committee meetings:

About The Week in Parliament

That Week In Parliament

Recent happenings in Parliament