The programmes in the main chambers offer a blend of members' statements, policy debates, legislative business, oral questions to the Deputy President and Economic Cluster and a joint debate to mark Youth Day.
During his question session in the National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday, the leader of government business ...
The Cape High Court ruling against the media in the so-called parliamentary censorship and signal jamming case serves to emphasise the importance the constitution places on the integrity of our democratic institutions.
The court, sitting as a full bench, ruled two to one that Parliament "has a right to protect ...
By Thulani Gqirana, Qaanitah Hunter
On March 12, Parliament failed to approve the R1.3-trillion government budget because MPs who attended the sitting did not form the necessary quorum for the vote. That budget – tabled by Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene in February – was only passed five days later, on ...
By Rofhiwa Maneta
This month Minister of State Security David Mahlobo announced that he was in “advanced stages” of drafting regulations for the Protection of State Information Bill. The regulations – which set the foundation for the bill to be implemented once signed into law – have renewed fears from ...
By Rofhiwa Maneta
History has a dirty habit of repeating itself. When the wave of xenophobic violence swept through South Africa seven years ago, claiming 67 lives and displacing thousands, no one could’ve bargained it would happen again. Former President Thabo Mbeki addressed parliament a month after the attacks, apologising ...
By Mosotho Moepya
Over the past few months, we have witnessed a resurgence of debate and discussion about the appropriateness of SA’s electoral system. Commentators, academics and politicians have asked whether the proportional representation system is relevant, effective and appropriate 20 years into our democracy.
Those questioning the effectiveness of ...
By Kgorula Bitterhout
The Department of Basic Education has recently come under fire for its plans to provide school kids with condoms. The plan, which is part of the department’s Draft National Policy on HIV, STI’s and TB, could see children as young as ten receive condoms. This has drawn ...
This is a week for detailed law-making, with issues ranging from maintenance, to freedom of expression, to land expropriation, to trade union accountability and decriminalising consensual sex between children of certain ages.
Beyond this, the legislature’s budget vote season doesn’t show any sign of slowing down as most days are ...
Political background: Growing up, I was involved in politics in one form or another. My earliest memory of political activity was leading a strike in Grade 5 because our teacher would not allow us to go out for break.
At university I majored in Political Science and Law, and the ...