This week’s parliamentary schedule includes significant activities, such as oral replies from economics cluster ministers, a briefing from the Minister of Basic Education, virtual mini-plenary sessions, and oversight visits by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) committees.
Tuesday Highlights
At 14:00, the Minister of Basic Education will address Members of Parliament (MPs) in the National Assembly (NA) regarding preparations for the 2024 National Senior Certificate examinations. During the same session, the House will review the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services’ report from its oversight visit to the Goodwood Correctional Centre, as well as the Portfolio Committee on Police’s report concerning the 2024/25 Budget and the Annual Performance Plan of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).
Wednesday Activities
On Wednesday at 15:00, ministers from the economics cluster will respond to oral questions in the NA. This cluster includes ministers from departments such as Land Reform, Public Works, Small Business Development, Tourism, Trade, and Transport. These sessions serve as a constitutional mechanism for parliamentary oversight and accountability.
Thursday Sessions
On Thursday at 14:00, two virtual mini-plenary sessions will be held to debate topics of national importance, including the need for inspections to protect vulnerable children from unsafe food in unregulated spaza shops and addressing disaster response capabilities. Another session will discuss the official recognition of Khoi, San, and Coloured people as distinct groups and the issues of fraud and corruption at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
Preceding these sessions, the NA Programming Committee will meet at 08:30 to review the third-term draft parliamentary program and related items.
NCOP Oversight Visits
No plenary sessions are scheduled for the NCOP, as select committees will conduct oversight visits throughout the week. The Select Committee on Social Services will visit elderly care facilities in the Western Cape as part of its discussions on the Older Persons Amendment Bill. Additionally, the Petitions and Executive Undertakings Select Committee will investigate sinkholes in Gauteng, while the Security and Justice Select Committee will review operations at the Beitbridge border facility.
Committee Meetings Overview
Approximately 20 committee meetings are scheduled for this week, including:
- Tuesday, October 22:
- Portfolio Committees on Water and Sanitation, Science and Technology, Basic Education, Trade, and others will convene for various discussions and reports.
- Wednesday, October 23:
- The Portfolio Committees on Police, Higher Education, Social Development, and Health will hold briefings and reviews.
- Friday, October 25:
- Final considerations for reports from the Portfolio Committees on Sport, Arts and Culture, and Trade will take place.
Upcoming NCOP Select Committee Visits
A series of NCOP select committee visits are also planned, focusing on public hearings related to the Older Persons Amendment Bill and oversight in the Free State Province.
