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The two Houses of Parliament will convene for a joint sitting on Thursday at 19:00 for President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall.

The State of the Nation Address is called in terms of Section 42(5) of the Constitution. It is a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament and one of the rare occasions that brings together the three arms of state under one roof. SONA provides the President with an opportunity to address the nation, to reflect on a wide range of political, economic and social matters within the domestic and global contexts, to account to the nation on the work of government, and to set out government’s programme of action.

On Wednesday, Parliament’s Presiding Officers, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, will address the media on the state of readiness to host the 2026 State of the Nation Address. Further details will be communicated.

NCOP

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will convene a comprehensive two-day members’ training workshop on 11 to 12 February 2026 in the NCOP Chamber. The workshop aims to strengthen the oversight and legislative capacity of NCOP delegates, focusing on constitutional mandates, intergovernmental relations, budget scrutiny, and the use of digital tools in parliamentary work.

Key themes to be covered include:

·       Oversight and accountability: Deepening understanding of the NCOP’s oversight machinery, sector oversight models and mechanisms for executive accountability.

·       Constitutional and legislative mandates: Exploring the NCOP’s role in intergovernmental relations, policy implementation and advancing national priorities such as the District Development Model.

·       Budget and fiscal oversight: Practical sessions on budget analysis, fiscal accountability and tools for detecting fiscal leakage and inefficiency.

·       Digital and media engagement: Hands-on training on the use of Zoom for virtual sittings, live streaming and public engagement, as well as best practices in parliamentary diplomacy and protocol.

·       Members’ support services: Information on pension funds, tools of trade (ICT equipment) and fibre connectivity in parliamentary villages.

This workshop underscores Parliament’s commitment to equipping members with the skills and knowledge required to fulfil their constitutional duties effectively and to improve transparency, accountability, and public engagement.

Speakers Forum

Also this week, the Speakers’ Forum will hold its two-day session from Tuesday, 10 February until 11 February. The Speakers’ Forum oversees the coordination of legislative sector programmes to ensure effectiveness and cohesion. It consists of the NA Speaker, the NCOP Chairperson, the Deputy Speaker of the NA, the Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, and Speakers and Deputy Speakers of all nine provincial legislatures.

The session will, among other things, discuss the South African legislative sector's strategic direction and policy priorities for the seventh term, as well as oversight coordination between Parliament and provincial legislatures.

Committee Meetings

The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, will convene a virtual meeting on Monday at 11:00 to discuss housekeeping matters. 

This week there are 16 other committee meetings scheduled in both Houses of Parliament this week. Details are as follows:

TUESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2026

Portfolio Committee on Tourism: Briefing by the National Public Transport Regulator on their system for issuing of tour operating licenses and the efforts to address the backlog. Briefing by Southern Africa Tourism Services Association on challenges relating to tour operating licenses. Consideration and adoption of draft first term programme. Consideration and adoption of minutes. Virtual Platform Meeting, 09:30 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation: Briefing by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC / Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII) on its research on and measurement of Research and Development and Innovation in South Africa. Committee Room M515, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, 10:00 – 2:302

Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Consideration of the draft framework for RAF Oversight Enquiry Report. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 13:00

Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [CLOSED MEETING] Room 301, Third Floor, Africa House, 16:30 – 19:30

Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services: Briefing by Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services on third quarter performance report (2025/26) and welcoming of the new Inspecting Judge. M314, Third Floor, Marks Buildings, 09:30

Portfolio Committee on Agriculture: Briefing by the TGK Farming private partners on its role and support to the Ncera Macadamia Farming business. Consideration of outstanding matters from committee resolutions and responses from DoA to committee recommendations. Consideration and adoption of outstanding draft minutes. Virtual Platform Meeting, 09:30 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Transport: Follow up meeting with the Road Accident Fund (RAF). Consideration and adoption of minutes of proceedings. Committee Room 2, Upper Ground Floor, 90 Plein Building, Parliament, 09:30 – 12:30

Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture: Briefing by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Mzansi Golden Economy Adjudication Panel on the Mzansi Golden Economy 2025/26 Open Call. Briefing by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture on the implications of the Minister’s announcement to cancel the amalgamation of entities as per the White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage recommendation that advocates for the sharing of resources and administrative functions, saving costs and ensuring the sustainability of these entities, including an overview of the projected cost of governance over the MTEF and actions taken to ensure liquidity of entities. Consideration and adoption of the draft 1st term committee programme and outstanding minutes. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30 – 16:00

Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation: Reflections on IWA Congress and Exhibition and consideration of Committee Report on the 10th International Water Regulators Forum. Consideration of the Committee Oversight Report – Free State and Northern Cape Provinces. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 12:30

Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies: Adoption of committee minutes. Briefing by NEMISA, Sentech, BBI, and USAASA/USAF on their First and Second Quarter Performance and Expenditure Reports FY 2025-26. Presentation by DCDT and BBI on a financial sustainability and recovery plan, including debt management strategies for BBI. Virtual Platform Meeting, 09:00 – 17:00

Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Briefing by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, including the Marine Living Resources Fund, on their First and Second Quarter Reports for the 2025/26 financial year. In person meeting: 09h30 – 13h00

WEDNESDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2026

Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [CLOSED MEETING] Room 301, Third Floor, Africa House, 16:30 – 19:30

Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans: Presentation on public submissions for the Defence Amendment Bill and Military Discipline Supplementary Measures Amendment Bill. Departmental responses to public submissions. Consideration of outstanding minutes. Parliament, Committee Room 1, 90 Building, 10:00 – 13:00

FRIDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2026

Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament: Briefing on the readiness of the Nieuwmeester Dome for handing over to Parliament. Consideration and adoption of committee minutes. Draft committee report on the 2024/25 Annual Report of the Parliament of the RSA. Draft committee report on site visits undertaken to inspect the installation of the Nieuwmeester Dome and progress in the rebuilding of the infrastructure destroyed in the 2022 fire on the parliamentary precinct and 2026 and first term committee programme. S12A, NCOP Building, Ground Floor, 08:30 – 13:00

Joint Standing Committee on Defence: Briefing by academia on a primary study regarding SANDF deployments and related challenges (SANDF to be present, including the Reserve Force and RFC). Consideration of outstanding minutes. Parliament, Committee Room M514, Marks Building, 09:00 – 16:00

Issued by Parliament