Cape Town – A bustling week lies ahead for the South African Parliament as it prepares for critical sessions ranging from the tabling of the 2023 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s final question-and-answer appearance for the year in the National Assembly (NA).
According to a new release by the Parliament of South Africa, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is slated to present the MTBPS to the NA at Cape Town City Hall on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 14:00. Alongside the MTBPS, the Finance Minister will introduce several Section 77 (Money) bills, including the Adjustments Appropriation Bill and the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill.
The MTBPS serves as a crucial tool in guiding the nation’s budgetary course. It offers updates on the National Treasury’s view of the economic landscape and presents a policy framework for the 2024 Budget. The statement will also provide Parliament with any suggested changes to this year’s spending plans and will invite public and parliamentary scrutiny several months ahead of the main budget announcement in February 2024.
Simultaneously, both Houses of Parliament have scheduled hybrid plenaries for Tuesday and Thursday. These will serve as platforms for Questions for Oral Reply sessions, aimed at holding Members of the Executive accountable. President Ramaphosa is due to give oral replies on Thursday at 14:00 in a hybrid NA session.
Members of the Peace and Security Cluster, including ministers responsible for Police, Justice, and Correctional Services, are also set to give oral replies in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, with additional Cluster members providing responses on Thursday.
The NA will also deliberate on a report from the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, focusing on the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill. Additional discussions will include filling vacancies in the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) Board and the Council of Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
A total of thirty-eight committee meetings are also planned for this week, covering topics from intelligence to water and sanitation, trade and industry, and public health.