1) A letter dated 19 October 2011 has been received from the Minister of Science and Technology - a) informing the National Assembly of the resignation of Prof A Sawyerr from the board of the Human Sciences Research Council with effect from 1 September 2011 and the removal of office of Mr P Masobe in terms of section 5(6)(e) of the Human Sciences Research Council Act, 2008 (No 17 of 2008); and b) submitting in terms of section 5(3) of the Act a shortlist of candidates and their curricula vitae for consideration by the Assembly and subsequent submission to the Minister of an approved shortlist.