CITY NAME – A multi-faceted agenda, ranging from a delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union to public hearings on key Bills, marks the parliamentary week ahead.
According to a new release by the Parliament of South Africa, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, will lead a multi-party delegation to the 147th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Luanda, Angola, from October 23 to 27. The assembly is poised to make history as all four candidates vying for the IPU’s 31st President are women from Africa, representing Senegal, Malawi, Tanzania, and Somalia.
Deputy President Mr. Paul Mashatile is set to appear before a hybrid sitting of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday. He will provide oral replies to questions from the Delegates to the House, as one of the methods Parliament employs for oversight and accountability over the Executive.
On Tuesday, the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity is scheduled to issue a statement in the National Assembly on the Energy Action Plan and measures to mitigate load shedding. The assembly will also consider the Railway Safety Bill and the Climate Change Bill. The NCOP plans to hold a Transport Month debate focused on “Revitalising and Modernisation of the Freight Logistics and Passenger Mobility Railway Network in South Africa.”
The following day, Wednesday, will feature Questions for Oral Reply in the National Assembly from Economics Cluster Ministers, encompassing Public Enterprises, Public Works and Infrastructure, Small Business and Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry and Competition, and Transport.
Both the National Assembly and the NCOP have Program Committee meetings set for Thursday. The National Assembly is also scheduled to consider the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill and the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill. Additionally, approval will be sought for the Luxembourg Protocol concerning railway rolling stock.
Approximately 37 committee meetings are scheduled for this week to consider Bills, Budget Review and Recommendation Reports (BRRRs), and to hold hearings on issues of national importance. At least five committees will conduct public hearings on a variety of Bills, including the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill and the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill.
The parliamentary week will also involve various portfolio committees, from Sport, Arts, and Culture to Justice and Correctional Services, addressing issues ranging from annual performance plans to amendments in legislation.