Parliamentary Agenda for the Week of September 16-20, 2024

Parliament, Sunday, 15 September 2024 – This week’s parliamentary schedule is packed with activities, including key debates, international engagements, and oversight functions. Notable events include questions directed at the Deputy President and Ministers within the Economics Cluster, discussions on national public matters, and significant international and provincial engagements.

The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Ms. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, will lead a five-member multiparty delegation to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) in Midrand, Johannesburg. From September 16 to 20, the delegation will participate in the Permanent Committees’ sessions, which are themed around the African Union’s 2024 focus: “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa.” This marks the first appearance of the newly elected South African delegation to PAP, following their election by both Houses of the 7th Parliament. The delegation will be officially sworn in on Monday, September 16.

The PAP, as established by the Abuja Treaty, serves as the legislative body of the African Union.

Additionally, Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms. Thoko Didiza, will attend the Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments, scheduled from September 18 to 20, 2024, alongside the PAP Permanent Committees’ sessions.

The NCOP’s Provincial Week programme, running from September 17 to 20, will see permanent delegates return to their provinces for oversight visits and stakeholder engagements. This year’s theme is “Confronting the Challenges Facing the Timely Delivery of Viable Public Infrastructure to Communities.” A detailed schedule of the site visits is available on the Parliament’s website.

On Tuesday, the National Assembly (NA) will conduct a hybrid plenary session where the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms. Pemmy Majodina, will address dam safety measures. The NA will also review draft notices on the salary and benefits rates for the Auditor-General and consider approving a protocol to amend the Convention on Offences Committed on Board Aircraft.

Meanwhile, Secretary to Parliament Mr. Xolile George will participate in a Meeting of Clerks of Parliaments at the PAP headquarters.

In the NCOP, Deputy President Paul Mashatile will field oral questions during a virtual sitting on Thursday at 18:00. Ministers in the Economics Cluster will face an oral Q&A session in the NA on Wednesday at 15:00. This cluster includes Ministers responsible for Agriculture, Communications and Digital Technologies, Electricity and Energy, Employment and Labour, Finance, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

The NA will also debate an urgent matter regarding the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (NERSA) decision to approve Eskom’s retrospective R8 billion recovery for the 2021/2022 financial year. Other agenda items include draft notices for the salary rates of Constitutional Court judges, magistrates, and Human Rights Commission Commissioners.

Following this week’s activities, Members of Parliament will embark on a two-week constituency period from September 23 to October 7.

Committee Meetings Schedule

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

• Standing Committee on Finance: Briefings by National Treasury and SARS on the 2024 Tax Bills. Venue: To be confirmed. Time: 09:00-12:00
• Portfolio Committee on Basic Education: Updates on the 1st Quarterly Performance Report and National Senior Certificate Examinations readiness. Venue: Committee Room M514. Time: 09:00-12:30
• Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition: Briefings on B-BBEE Commission’s annual plan and Auditor-General’s audit outcomes. Venue: Committee Room M201. Time: 09:00-13:00
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Briefings on PRASA and SAA financial performance. Venue: Committee Room M46. Time: 09:00-14:00
• Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation: Reports on Giyani Bulk Water Project and Bucket Eradication Programme. Venue: Virtual. Time: 09:00
• Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation: Briefing on governance issues at Amatola Water Board. Venue: Virtual. Time: 18:00
• Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources: Industry stakeholder engagement. Venue: Cape Sun Hotel, Cape Town. Time: 09:00-20:00
• Subcommittee on the Review of National Assembly Rules: Consideration of matters from the Rules Committee. Venue: Good Hope Chamber. Time: 16:30

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

• Portfolio Committee on Basic Education: Discussion on budget cuts and post declarations by Provincial Education Departments. Venue: Virtual. Time: 08:30-14:00
• Standing Committee on Appropriations: Briefing by Statistics South Africa on budget efficacy. Venue: Committee Room M201. Time: 09:00-12:00
• Portfolio Committee on Police: Briefing on SAPS’s plan to combat extortion. Venue: Good Hope Chamber. Time: 09:00-12:30
• Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements: Discussion on system challenges in digitizing beneficiary lists. Venue: Committee Room S35. Time: 09:00-13:00
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Briefings on RAF and SIU investigations. Venue: Committee Room M514. Time: 09:00-14:00
• Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development: Public Protector’s report on administrative deficiencies related to gender-based violence. Venue: Virtual. Time: 09:30
• Portfolio Committee on Health: Updates on unclaimed bodies and Health Market Inquiry Report. Venue: Committee Room 1. Time: 09:30-13:00
• Standing Committee on Finance: Consideration of report on oversight visit to Ithala SOC Ltd. Venue: Committee Room 2. Time: 10:00-13:00

Friday, September 20, 2024

• Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition: Briefing on the African Union’s Start-up Model Law Framework. Venue: Committee Room M46. Time: 09:00-13:00
• Powers and Privileges Committee: Induction of committee members. Venue: Committee Room M515. Time: 10:00-13:00