The Week Ahead: Busy Schedule in the Main Chambers

Parliament has scheduled a broad and busy programme in the main chambers.

In the National Assembly, Tuesday’s vote on the EFF’s motion to close the Israeli Embassy in South Africa and the suspend all diplomatic relations with Israel is a main point of interest. The draft resolution was debated in a mini plenary last Thursday.

Not all resolutions are legally binding on the Executive. This is because certain recommendations often concern the administration of the state - an executive function. So, Parliament can only influence/guide. But because the Executive accounts to Parliament there is an expectation that it will also account for actions taken in response to parliamentary resolutions. So they should implement but, if not, at least explain why.

At the same sitting, the Minister in the Presidency will deliver s statement on Census 2022 and lawmakers will consider several Budgetary Review and Recommendation Reports.

Wednesday’s agenda includes Questions for oral reply with select Ministers in the Governance Cluster and consideration of the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill. The division of revenue lays down how total government revenue should be divided and allocated between the spheres of government.

Thursday is dedicated to the consideration of 10 Budgetary Review and Recommendation Reports.

There are three mini-plenaries scheduled on Friday. They serve as breakaway sessions of the NA. According to the rules, any matter may be discussed or debated in a mini-plenary session. This mechanism provides an opportunity for the House to debate a particular topic without having to take a decision at the end of the debate.

Mini-plenary 1: Subject for discussion (Mr Z M D Mandela): Strengthening the agriculture and poultry sectors as a catalyst for economic development in South Africa and Africa and Subject for discussion (Dr M J Cardo): The role of national government policy in job creation and poverty alleviation

Mini-plenary 2: Subject for discussion (Mr N F Shivambu): Water provision crisis in South Africa and Subject for discussion (Ms Z Nkomo): Reviewing the economic position of women and measures to accelerate women's economic empowerment

Mini-plenary 3: Subject for discussion (Ms Z Majozi): Urgent call for intervention by the South African Police Service and intelligence structures to address politically motivated killings, including the killing of Amakhosi and other traditional leaders and Subject for discussion (Dr W J Boshoff): The right of communities to participate in the management and development of both private and public educational institutions at all levels

Over in the NCOP, the House has arranged a Provincial Week (15 – 18 September 2023) Report Back Session on Tuesday.

The following day, the focus is on passing two bills: the Agricultural Products Standards Amendment Bill and the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill.

On the final sitting day – Thursday - delegates will consider assorted reports and debate the Systematic Destruction of State Enterprises and Urgent Steps needed to Reposition the State as the Primary Driver of Development

Away from Parliament, provincial public hearings on the Older Persons Amendment Bill and Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill will take place. In addition, the Speaker of the National Assembly will lead a multi-party delegation to the 54th Plenary Assembly of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) to be held in Port Louis, Mauritius from 22 to 26 November 2023.

Here are the highlights in the Committee Corridor:

MONDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2023

Powers and Privileges Committee, (National Assembly), [Hearing on the incident of 09 February 2023], Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 10:00-16:00

TUESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2023

Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, (National Assembly), [Day 2 of public hearings on the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Bill [B24-2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00

Standing Committee on Finance, (National Assembly), [Consideration and adoption of the Committee report and clause by clause deliberations on the Revenue Laws Amendment Bill, Revenue Administration and Pension Laws Amendment Bill and the Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00

Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, (National Assembly), [Formal consideration of the A and B Bills of the Companies A/Bs; Briefing by the NLC on its 2022/23 Annual Report and its second quarter financial and non-financial performance for the 2023/24 financial year; Briefing by the SABS on its 2022/23 Annual Report and its second quarter financial and non-financial performance for the 2023/24 financial year], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, (National Assembly), [Briefing and update by the Minister of Home Affairs on the establishment of the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel; Briefing by the Electoral Commission (IEC) on their preparations for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections; Briefing by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) on the first and second quarter performance and expenditure reports for the 2023-24 financial year; Briefing by the Content Advisor on the draft Legacy of the 6th Parliament; Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, (National Assembly), [Deliberations/finalisation on the SAPO Amendment Bill [B 11-2023]; Adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour, (National Council of Provinces), [The Committee will receive Progress Report on the implementation of the Recommendations of the Zondo Commission from Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, (National Assembly), [Clause-by-clause deliberations on the NYDA Amendment Bill [B13-2022]; Consideration and adoption of the A-list and B-Bill; Consideration and adoption of the Committee report on the National Youth Development Agency Amendment Bill [B13-2022]; Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Department on the Preparations for UNFCCC Climate Change conference in December 2023; Briefing by the National Treasury on the financing of the Climate Change Bill; Briefing by Legal Services on the Parliament’s position following the Constitutional Court Judgement on the NEMLA Bill, 2022; and Responses by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment on the remedial action to address the findings of the Constitutional Court], Committee Room M514, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-13:30

Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), [SAA progress update, AGSA briefing and SIU investigations], Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-13:30

Select Committee on Health and Social Services, (National Council of Provinces), [Consideration of the Final Mandates on the NHI Bill [B11B-2019], sec 76; Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 15:00-17:00

WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023

Standing Committee on Finance, (National Assembly), [Consideration and adoption of the Committee report and clause by clause deliberations on the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill and the Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00

Portfolio Committee on Police, (National Assembly), [Consideration of the A-List on the Independent Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill [B21-2023]; Consideration of the Departments responses emanated from the Annual Report briefings.], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00

Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), [Follow up meeting with law enforcement agencies regarding collaboration on SOE cases referred by SIU and updated on State Capture cases], Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:00-14:00

Portfolio Committee on Social Development, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the DSD on budget implication and resource allocation to implement the Children’s Amendment Bill [B19 – 2023] (Private Members Bill); Deliberation on the Children’s Amendment Bill [B19 – 2023] (Private Member’s Bill); Adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on: National Plan for the Post-School Education and Training (NP-PSET); Briefing by the Joint Task Team (DHET, Department of Health and Department of Agriculture) on: Overview of the state of the Nursing and Agricultural college in relation to governance, administration and related matters; Update on the migration of the Nursing and Agricultural colleges; Briefing by the Association of Students in Agricultural Institutes (ASATI) on challenges of students in the Agricultural institutes and related matters; Briefing by the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on Activity report on the Maputo Protocol 2023; Consideration of minutes and reports], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-14:00

Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Department of Public Service and Administration on the achievements made in implementing the targets and deliverables contained in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework from 2019-2023; The Report on the Handbook of the Members of the Public Service Commission], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, (National Assembly), [Briefing by Eskom on the annual report and financial statements for 2022/23 financial year], Committee Room M514, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 10:00

Select Committee on Security and Justice, (National Council of Provinces), [Committee consideration and adoption of the Correctional Services Amendment Bill [B14-2023]; Committee adoption of the Report on the Correctional Services Amendment Bill [B14-2023]; Briefing by the Ministry and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the written submissions to the Judicial Matters Amendment Bill [B 7B-2023]; Briefing by the Ministry of Police on Executive Undertakings During the Taking Parliament to the People Ugu District; Briefing by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Executive Undertakings During the Taking Parliament to the People Ugu District], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00

Powers and Privileges Committee, (National Assembly), [Hearing on the incident of 09 February 2023], Committee Room S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 10:00-16:00

THURSDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2023

Joint Standing Committee on Defence, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [NCACC Quarterly Report and feedback on outstanding matters from the previous quarter; DCAC update on further progress in addressing industry concerns raised on 3 November 2022 and ensuring adequate administrative support to the industry; Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 18:00-21:00

FRIDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2023

Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [Briefing on Parliament’s 2023/24 mid-year performance report; Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 08:00-10:00

Standing Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on the Adjustments Appropriation Bill [B34-2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00

Portfolio Committee on Police, (National Assembly), [Adoption of Committee report on the Independent Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill [B21-2023] and the Bill in its entirety], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure, (National Council of Provinces), [Negotiating Mandates: Expropriation Bill [B 23B-2020] (Sec 76)], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Powers and Privileges Committee, (National Assembly), [Hearing on Mr MJ Zwane Matter; Hearing on the incident of 02 May 2023], Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 10:00-16:00

Committees provide a platform for the public to present views directly to MPs. Share your thoughts, on-the-ground experience and expert information to the relevant committees. Critically, what questions should MPs pose to the Executive as they conduct their oversight work? Write to a Parliamentary Committee

View the schedule page here.

*This summary is based on the schedule as it is published on Monday morning. The programme is subject to frequent updating so the link above needs to be checked daily to confirm the programme for the day.

People's Assembly aims to connect the public to their elected representatives. One way of doing so is through our Replocator tool, which allows you to search for the elected representative in your area.