The Week Ahead: President Ramaphosa Appears Before the National Assembly

The President's oral questions, answers questions of national or international importance once per term in accordance with the annual parliamentary programme. The questions are sifted and published beforehand to ensure that only those satisfying the set criteria are put to the President. Four supplementary questions, arising from the reply to a question, are allowed. Over the years, questions have been raised about the form, frequency and effectiveness of these sessions. Some argue that it is a choreographed and ritualistic exercise that does little to hold the President to account. To support this session - on Thursday - is the high point of the parliamentary week.

The President is required to view, point to the number and nature of questions allowed, the vetting process, the scripted response, the long-winded statements camouflaged as questions and the poor responses. Others point out that even though it is not a perfect mechanism for Executive scrutiny, it can help to shape the public’s views and is an opportunity for the President to address specific concerns raised. The supplementary questions, in particular, show whether the President has a sound grasp of issues and is able to think on his feet. It is also a rare opportunity for legislators to interact directly with the President.

View the questions here

Select Ministers in the Social Services Cluster will be probed on a range of issues during their Question Time on Wednesday.

View the questions here

At the same sitting, lawmakers will consider the 2023 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals.

The agenda for Tuesday’s plenary is diverse as MPs consider 2 bills (Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment Bill and the Transport Appeal Tribunal Amendment Bill, hold a debate to mark International Women’s Day and also consider a “Decision of Question on Draft Resolution” on the call, by Mr A M Shaik Emam (NFP), for the downgrading of the South African embassy in Israel.

On Tuesday, the NCOP’s Ministerial Briefing Session will see delegates come together with the Minister and provincial MECs to hear about their plans to mitigate the negative Impact of load shedding in the provision of water and sanitation to communities.

On Wednesday, the NCOP will commemorate the passing of Honourable Maurencia Natalie Gillion (ANC). In addition, they will consider the 2023 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals.

A multi-party delegation will take part the in the Pan-African Parliament’s first sitting of the year from 06 to 17 March 2023. PAP Permanent Committees will receive reports from various AU Institutions as part of the Parliament’s oversight function.

There’s lots of action in the Committees. Here is a rundown of the main highlights:

MONDAY, 6 MARCH 2023

Committee for Section 194 Enquiry, (National Assembly), [Hearing Day 54 – Prof Thuli Madonsela to appear before the Committee], Hybrid (Committee Room M46 & Virtual Meeting Platform), 10:00-17:00

TUESDAY, 7 MARCH 2023

Standing Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly), [Comment by the Financial and Fiscal Commission on the 2023 Division of Revenue Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00

Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and their Entities on the 2022/23 First and Second Quarter Expenditure and Financial Reports; Briefing by SIU on: (i) progress of all cases relating to the Departments and Entities reporting to the Committee; and (ii) inventory of monies recovered], Committee Room 2, Upper Ground Floor, 90 Plein Street Building, Parliament, 10:00

Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Minister of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner on the readiness to establish the BMA by 1 April 2023], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, (National Assembly), [Presentations by Rand Water, Umngeni Water, uMhlathuze Water and Bloem Water Boards: synopsis and overview of their work as reflected in the 2021/22 Annual Reports], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, (National Assembly), [Public hearings on the Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill [B1 – 2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30

Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), [Progress in resolving matters regarding the implementation of the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) by the National Treasury], Committee Room M314, Third Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-13:00

Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour, (National Council of Provinces), [Public hearings on Performers Protection Amendment Bill [B 24D – 2016] and Copyright Amendment Bill [B 13D – 2017], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-17:00

Committee for Section 194 Enquiry, (National Assembly), [Hearing Day 55 – Prof Thuli Madonsela to appear before the Committee], Hybrid (Committee Room M46 & Virtual Meeting Platform), 10:00-17:00

WEDNESDAY, 8 MARCH 2023

Standing Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly), [Comment by the Parliamentary Budget Office on the 2023 Division of Revenue Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00

Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Department of Transport on the National Road Traffic Amendment Bill [B7B – 2020 (s76)]; Briefing by the Department of Transport on the National Land Transport Amendment Bill [B 7F -2016] sec (76)], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Police, (National Assembly), [Police Recruitment and Training, including selection, alleged corruption, condition of training facilities and capacity of training staff/trainers; Adoption of Committee Report on Petitions], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Social Development, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Department of Social Development on its action plan on the employment of social workers and the Sector Strategy on the employment of social workers], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Metropolitan Municipalities on the utilisation of the Urban Settlements Development Grant, informal settlements upgrading and service site, land invasions: Nelson Mandela; Buffalo City; Mangaung; Ethekwini], Committee Room 1, Upper Ground Floor, 90 Plein Street Building, Parliament, 09:30-13:00

Select Committee on Appropriations, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by National Treasury on the 2023 Division of Revenue Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00

Select Committee on Security and Justice, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Department of Justice and Correctional Services on the submissions on the Land Court Bill [B11B – 2021] (Sec 75); Briefing by the Department of Justice and Correctional Services on the Repeal of the Transkeian Penal Code Bill [B34-2022] (National Assembly – sec 75)], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00

THURSDAY, 9 MARCH 2023

Joint Standing Committee on Defence, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [Briefing on the status of SANDF morale as per the DOD morale survey and general matters affecting morale in the Force; Briefing on the impact of biennial Military Skills Development Programme (MSDS) intakes on the SANDF training schedules and the impact on rejuvenation; Briefing to include reference to rejuvenation efforts in the Reserves, especially the status of the University Reserve Training Programme], Virtual Meeting Platform, 18:00-21:00

FRIDAY, 10 MARCH 2023

Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [Organisational Restructuring and filling of critical vacancies: update by Secretary to Parliament], Virtual Meeting Platform, 08:30-13:00

Standing Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly), [Comments by South African Local Government Association and Department of Co-operative Governance on the 2023 Division of Revenue Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Standing Committee on Auditor-General, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Auditor-General on the nature of the current 327 MIs reported in its Annual Report. This is in line with requirements of the PAA as amended], Committee Room 1, Upper Ground Floor, 90 Plein Street Building, Parliament, 09:30-13:00

Committees provide a platform for the public to present views directly to MPs. Share your thoughts, on-the-ground experience and expert information with 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.

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