26/05/2025
THIS WEEK IN PARLIAMENT | SOUTH AFRICA
Parliament, Sunday, 25 May 2025 – Questions to the President and Deputy President and a debate on Africa Day are some agenda items on the Parliamentary programme that will take centre stage this week.
On Tuesday at 14:00, President Cyril Ramaphosa will have an oral question-and-answer session with the Members of the National Assembly (NA). Oral question sessions with the President are scheduled at least once a quarter during Parliament’s annual programme. These sessions are one of the mechanisms Parliament uses to hold the executive to account as stipulated in Section 92(2) of the Constitution, which states that members of the executive are accountable collectively and individually to Parliament for exercising powers and performing their functions.
Questions to the President scheduled for Tuesday will cover a range of matters, including whether the President intends to take measures to shield South Africans from the rising costs of necessities because the household food basket has increased by nearly 40% above the rate of inflation.
The President is expected to provide details to members on the new economic policies that he and his Cabinet have developed since the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) last year. On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the President will be asked about the engagements that have been initiated to end the conflict.
On the same day at 14:00, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) hybrid plenary will hold a debate on Africa Day. The day marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (now called the African Union) on 25 May 1963. The African Union’s primary objectives are to achieve greater unity and solidarity among African nations, defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity and accelerate political and socio-economic integration. The day is about celebrating Africa’s unity and diversity and reflecting on the continent’s persistent challenges, which continue to impinge on the common developmental goals of its people.
On Wednesday at 15:00, the social services cluster ministers will reply to oral questions in the NA. The cluster comprises ministers responsible for Higher Education, Basic Education, Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Sport, Arts and Culture, Health, and Social Development.
On Thursday at 14:00, Deputy President Mr Paul Mashatile will have an oral question-and-answer session in the NCOP. Questions to the Deputy President scheduled for Thursday’s sitting will also cover a range of matters, including whether the government is considering utilising the planned historic national dialogue to build a shared understanding of the devastating effects of many years of racial exclusion.
There are 39 committee meetings scheduled from Tuesday until Friday this week, as outlined below:
TUESDAY, 27 MAY 2025
Subcommittee on the Review of the Assembly Rules: Finalisation of Rules for Money Bills and Questions Procedure. M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building. 17:00 – 19:00
Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Engagement on the amendments in the 2025 – 2029 Strategic Plans and 2025/26 Annual Performance Plans of the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG); Department of Traditional Affairs (DTA); Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA); Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB); and CRL Rights Commission. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies: Adoption of minutes. Briefing by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) on settlement of South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) debt to Sentech, including the spend on the recent six months R150 million virement. Briefing by .za Domain Name Authority and the Film and Publications Board (FPB) on their 2024/25 Third and Fourth Quarter Performance and Financial Reports. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry: Briefing by the IDC on its Corporate Plan. S12A, Ground floor, NCOP Building. 09:30 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Briefing by metros on their waste management (including the state of landfill sites): Buffalo City and City of Cape Town. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation: Briefing by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) on the Innovation Fund. Committee Business: Consideration of Committee Minutes and Reports. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30 – 12:00
Select Committee on Education and Creative Industries: Consideration and adoption of draft minutes. Briefing by the Department of Basic Education on their 2025-2030 Strategic Plan and 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan (Presentation to include conditional grants allocated to provinces). Venue: TBC. 10:00 – 13:00
Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Hearing on the audit outcomes and financial statements of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) and the investigation conducted by the SIU. M514, Fifth Floor, Marks Building. 09:00 – 13:00
Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament: Briefing on the 7th Parliament Strategic Plan (90 mins). Briefing on the Parliament of the RSA’s 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan (90 mins). Hybrid/Good Hope Chamber, Good Hope Building. Ground Floor. 18:00 – 21:30 (after plenaries in the NA and NCOP)
Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation: Briefing by the Department of Water and Sanitation on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase Two, including the LHWP Treaty. Briefing by the Department of Water and Sanitation on the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Amendment Bill of 2025. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services: Briefing by the Department of Correctional Services on progress on completion of kitchen projects in Baviaanspoort, Johannesburg, Modderbee, Durban-Westville, Pietermaritzburg, Qalakabusha, Eshowe, and Kokstad Medium Correctional Centre. Committee Room 1, 120 Plein Building. 10:00
Portfolio Committee on Tourism: Briefing by the Development Bank of Southern Africa on the progress made in implementing tourism infrastructure projects. Consideration and adoption of draft minutes. Consideration and adoption of second term programme. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30
Portfolio Committee on Transport: Briefing by the Department of Transport on the Repeal of the South African Airways Bill of 2024, including consideration and adoption of the Motion of Desirability on the Bill. Briefing by the Department of Transport on the implementation of the Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG) in the participating cities. Consideration and adoption of minutes of proceedings. Committee Room 1, Upper Ground Floor, 90 Plein Building. 09:30
Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration: Briefing by SALGA on its 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan and 2024-2029 Strategic Plan. Committee Room 2, 120 Plein Building. 10:00 – 13:00
Joint meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance, Standing Committee on Appropriations, Select Committee on Finance, and Select Committee on Appropriations: Briefing by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) and Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) on the 2025 Budget. Virtual Platform, 10:00 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture: Consideration and adoption of the committee minutes. Briefing by the National Arts Council on ownership, funding and operations at Downtown Music Hub, non-payment of employees and challenges with the new NAC Council and its provincial representatives. S35, First Floor, NCOP Building. 09:30 – 12:30
WEDNESDAY, 28 MAY 2025
Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation: Virtual Colloquium on “How South Africa is managing the G20 opportunity for the benefit of all” by Prof Siphamandla Zondi, Dr Elizabeth Sidiropoulos and Dr Philani Mthembu. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00
Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements: Briefing by Ms Emma Powell, Member of Parliament on the Private Members Bill – Proposed amendments to the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Bill. M201, Second Floor Marks Building. 08:30 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Police: Consideration of Fourth Quarter Crime Statistics 2024/25. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 12:30
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training: Briefing by the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) on allegations of corruption, maladministration and related matters. Parliament, Committee Room S12A, NCOP Building. 09:00 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry: Engagement with stakeholders from the steel industry about the progress and outcomes of implementing the Steel and Metal Fabrication Master Plan. Committee Room 1, 90 Plein Street. 09:30 – 14:00
Joint meetings with the Standing Committee on Finance, Select Committee on Finance: Public hearings on the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals. Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00 – 16:00
Select Committee on Social Services: Progress report by the Department of Social Development about implementing the recommendations to the United Nations bodies on children’s rights. Consideration and adoption of committee minutes. Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00 – 12:30
Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy: Briefing by the Department of Electricity and Energy, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), South African Local Government Association (SALGA), and Eskom on the Municipal Electricity Distribution Industry. S26, First Floor, NCOP Building. 09:30 – 14:00
Select Committee on Security and Justice: Consideration of the Committee Report on the confirmation of suspension of Ms R Govender, Magistrate at Leyenye, Limpopo. Submitted in terms of section 13(4)(b) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No. 90 of 1993). Consideration and adoption of minutes. Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00 – 13:00
Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Update by the Road Accident Fund on the investigation conducted by the SIU. M514, Fifth Floor, Marks Building. 09:00 –14:00
Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development: Briefing by the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development and the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights on the implementation of the model and progress report on the settlement of land claims on forestry land and the National Parks. Consideration of outstanding minutes of the committee. M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building. 09:30 – 13:30
Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade: Briefing by the Department of Small Business Development on the Spaza Shop Fund. Virtual Meeting Platform, 14:00 – 17:00
Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration: Briefing by the Department of Public Service and Administration on the development to clean up the PERSAL system and introduce new reforms to eliminate ghost employees as well as consequence management. Briefing by the National Treasury on the steps undertaken to audit ghost workers in the public service. Committee Room 2, Ground Floor, 90 Plein Street. 10:00-13:00
Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and Minister in the Presidency: Briefing by the Auditor-General on the Audit Information for the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. Consideration of the Select Committee Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan. Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies: Briefing by the South African Post Office (SAPO) Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs)on the finalisation of the Business Rescue Plan (BRP) and intention to form partnerships by SAPO. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 11:30
Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour: Briefing by DEL on monitoring, advocacy, inspection and enforcement of labour laws for inclusive economic growth, employment, and maintenance of stability in the labour market. Consideration and adoption of the draft minutes of 14 May 2025. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00
Portfolio Committee on Health: Public Hearings on the To***co Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill of 2022. Agri SA and Agricultural Business Chamber. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30 – 13:00
THURSDAY, 29 MAY 2025
Multi-Party Women’s Caucus: Presentation on the MPWC 6th term Legacy Report. Presentation on the MPWC Strategic Plan. Consideration and adoption of committee minutes. Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00
FRIDAY, 30 MAY 2025
Portfolio Committee on Police: Meeting with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) of Kenya. S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building. 10:00 – 14:00
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry: Briefing by the DTIC and the B-BBEE Commission on Transformation, the BEE Codes of Good Practice and the implementation of Industry Sector Codes. Briefing by the DTIC on the Transformation Fund. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30 – 13:00
Joint meeting with Standing Committee on Finance, Select Committee on Finance: Response by National Treasury and SARS to the public submissions received on the 2025 Fiscal Framework and the Revenue Proposals. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 12:00
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies: Adoption of minutes. Briefing by the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) / Universal Service Access Fund (USAF), State Information Technology Agency (SITA), and the National Electronic Media Institute (NEMISA) on their 2024/25 Third and Fourth Quarter Performance and Financial Reports. Virtual Meeting Platform, 14:00 – 17:00
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education: Briefing by the Minister of Higher Education on updates about the state of affairs of the University of Limpopo (UL) and the decision to withdraw the appointments of the SETAs Accounting Authority Chairpersons. Committee Room S35, First Floor, NCOP Building. 09:00 – 13:00
For the latest full schedule of Committee meetings (updated regularly), please visit: https://www.parliament.gov.za/committee-schedules
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
