The Week Ahead: Legislation, Debates & Mini-plenaries

An eclectic week of parliamentary action beckons in the main chambers and Committee Corridor.

A combination of Question Time sessions, debates, mini-plenaries, budget-related work, legislative business, and a few high-profile Committee meetings should mean plenty of fizz.

The NCOP has arranged two sitting days. On Wednesday, delegates will consider the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill and hold a debate on the 2023 Africa Industrialisation Day under the theme: “Renewed Commitment Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialisation and Economic Diversification Plan for South Africa”. In addition, they will consider the Report of the Select Committee on 2023 Revised Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals.

On Thursday, the NCOP is scheduled to hold a debate on the rising cost of living in South Africa and the impact this has on the quality of life in the country.

Over in the NA, legislation is the main highlight on Tuesday as lawmakers consider the Marine Oil Pollution (Preparedness, Response and Cooperation) Bill, the Divorce Amendment Bill, Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Amendment Bill, and the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill. At the same sitting, they will consider the Report of the Chief Whips’ Forum on the Benchmarking Study Visits to Ireland and Kenya.

The following day, Question Time with select Ministers in the Social Services Cluster is the main agenda. View here. The session ends with legislators considering the Report of the Standing Committee on Finance on 2023 Revised Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals.

There are three mini-plenaries scheduled on Thursday. 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:

Draft resolution (Mr J S Malema): Removal of the Israel Embassy in South Africa and suspension of all diplomatic relations with Israel (90) Subject for discussion (Ms P A Phetlhe): The significance of the expanded composition of the nations comprising the BRICS Bloc to advance the south-south agenda and the transformation of the international multilateral institutions (90)

Mini-plenary 2:

Subject for discussion (Mr S M Jafta): Evaluating the role played by Chapter Nine institutions in promoting constitutional democracy in post-Apartheid South Africa (90) Subject for discussion (Ms N P Peacock): Strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies in the fight against violent crimes and tackling illicit economic activities like illegal mining, extortion, and economic sabotage (90)

Mini-plenary 3:

Subject for discussion (Dr D T George): The desperately needed relief measures, including expanding the zero-VAT-rated food basket, that the government should take immediately to alleviate the negative impact of the inflating cost of living crisis on South African households (90) Subject for discussion (Mr B S Yabo): Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies to conserve water and minimise the impact of natural disasters on the provision of basic services (90) The Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Flood Disaster Relief and Recovery will this week conduct an oversight visit to the Limpopo Province. Provincial Public Hearings on the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill have also been arranged.

Legislation and budget-related matters are the main highlights in the Committee Corridor.

TUESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2023

Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, (National Assembly), [Day 1 of public hearings on the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Bill [B24-2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00

Standing Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) on the following: 2023 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill; 2023 Adjustments Appropriation Bill; and 2023 Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00

Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the South African Gymnastics Federation (SAGF) on their 2022/2023 annual report and an overview of the African Artistic Gymnastics Championships that was held in Pretoria, Gauteng Province (26-27 May 2023); Consideration and adoption of draft Committee minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:45

Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on the readiness for the Voter Registration Weekend of the weekend of 18 and 19 November 2023; Briefing and update by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on the addressing of members’ queries, the eHomeAffairs system and the functioning of the Contact Centre; 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

Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, (National Assembly), [Formal consideration of the A and B Bills of the Companies A/Bs; Briefing on the E and F Bills of the Copyright and of the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bills], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Select Committee on Health and Social Services, (National Council of Provinces), [Consideration of the Negotiating Mandates on the NHI Bill [B11B-2019], sec 76 and the responses to mandates by the Department of Health; Briefing by the Department of Health on the ratification of the treaty for the establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA); Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, (National Assembly), [Further deliberations on the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Bill [B8 – 2021]; and adoption of outstanding minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, (National Assembly), [Consideration of Report from a Chapter 9 Institution - Commission for Gender Equality: Learner Pregnancy-Policy interplay: school dropout of adolescent girl during pregnancy and in the postpartum period in selected South African 2023. Referred on 19 June 2023 (ATC No 86 – 2023 dated Monday, 19 June 2023); Consideration and Adoption of Draft Reports and Draft Minutes: Draft Committee BRRR Report 2023; Draft Minutes (31 October 2023 & 7 November 2023)], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-12:30

Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, (National Assembly), [Consideration and adoption of the Committee’s report on Motion of Desirability; Consideration and adoption of the public input’s report on the Bill; Clause by clause deliberations on the National Youth Development Agency Bill [B13-2022]; Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-13:00

WEDNESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2023

Standing Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) on the following: 2023 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill; 2023 Adjustments Appropriation Bill; and 2023 Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00

Portfolio Committee on Police, (National Assembly), [Continuation with Clause-by-clause consideration of the Independent Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill [B21-2023]; Briefing by SAPS on the following aspects: salary backage, benefits, housing allowance, injuries, well-being programme and the organisational structure of the SAPS], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Social Development, (National Assembly), [Briefing by Ms Masango, Member of Parliament (MP), on the Children’s Amendment Bill [B19 – 2023] - Private Member’s Bill; Briefing by the Department of Social Development in response to the Children’s Amendment Bill [B19 – 2023] - Private Member’s Bill; Adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, (National Assembly), [Consideration and adoption of A list of the bills; Consideration and adoption of the Bills as amended; Committee report on the Bills (for Public Administration Management Amendment Bill [B10 -2023] and Public Service Amendment Bill [B13 -2023])], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-13:00

Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), [Meeting with former Brigadier Jap Burger, SAPS, concerning allegations of corrupt and fraudulent activities and other maladministration at Eskom], Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-14:00

Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, (National Assembly), [Briefing by Minister of Electricity on the energy action plan], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00

Select Committee on Security and Justice, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Ministry and Department of Correctional Services on the Public Submissions to the Correctional Services Amendment Bill [B14-2023]; Briefing by the Ministry and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the Divorce Amendment Bill [B22 – 2023] (National Assembly – section 75); Briefing by the Ministry and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Amendment Bill [B28B – 2023] (National Assembly – section 75); Briefing by the Ministry and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill [B19B-2020]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00

Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing on the Railway Safety Bill [B 7B-2021] (National Assembly - sec 76)], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00

THURSDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2023

Select Committee on Appropriations, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by National Treasury on the 2023 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill, 2023 Adjustments Appropriation Bill and Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 17:00-19:00

Joint Standing Committee on Defence, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Regular Force Medical Continuation Fund; Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 18:00-21:00

FRIDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 2023

Standing Committee on Finance, (National Assembly), [Response by National Treasury to the submissions received on the Public Procurement Bill [B18 – 2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00

Standing Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the South African Local Government Association on the 2023 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill; Public Hearings on the 2023 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00

Joint Meeting: Standing Committee on Appropriations and Select Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [Consultation with South African Local Government Association and Financial and Fiscal Commission on 2023 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill; and Public Hearings on 2023 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on the findings and recommendations of the South African National Survey on Health, Life Experiences, and Family Relations aka the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) study and how it will inform the National GBV strategy and plans], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13

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.