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The National Assembly (NA) will tomorrow, at 14:00, hold an urgent debate on a matter of national importance on the fallen heroes of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who died in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The topic of the debate is: “The recent casualties incurred by the SANDF in the Democratic Republic of Congo and their implications for the defence force”.
 
Following the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, Parliament will convene again in a joint sitting of the NA and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday and Wednesday at 14:00 to debate the Address. The President will reply to the debate on Thursday at 14:00.
 
On Thursday at 08:30, the NA’s Programme Committee will convene a meeting to plan for the business of the House. The meeting will consider the draft programme, committee reports, and Bills before the House.
 
Parliament continues to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities. Much of its law-making and oversight work, which includes public participation and involvement, is carried out through its committees.
 
There are 20 committee meetings scheduled for this week, as outlined below: 
 
TUESDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2025
 
Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services: Briefing by the Department of Correctional Services on its action plan to comply with the Public Protector's remedial actions on its report on the escape of Thabo Bester from Mangaung Correction Centre. M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building,10:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology & Innovation: Briefing by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) on the Astronomy Programme - South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) and South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). South Africa Radio Astronomy Observatory, River Park, Liesbeek Parkway Observatory, Cape Town, 10:00 – 13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies: Briefing by ICASA on critical steps to address: (i) Cost-to-Communicate; (ii) Spectrum Management (iii) Data Analysis; (iv) QoS of Network Operators, Broadcasting Service Operators and other License holders; (v) ICASA Business Plan and Funding Model; (vi) Inquiry into subscription television broadcasting services in South Africa. Adoption of minutes. Room 1, Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) Building, 11th Floor, Grand Parade, 33 Heerengracht Street, Cape Town, 10:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Basic Education: Engagement on Petition from the SGB of Leruntse Lesedi High School, North West Province, calling on the Assembly to investigate the dilapidated infrastructure at their school. (Mr N P Pharamela). Good Hope Chamber, 09:30 – 12:30
 
Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities: Briefing by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and the Audit and Risk Committee on the 2nd and 3rd quarterly reports for 2024/25. Briefing by the Department on the establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Briefing on the country report to be submitted to CSW69 (2025) on the review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action. Room 1, NSFAS Building, 4 Christiaan Barnard Street, Cape Town, 09:30-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Transport: Briefing by the Minister of Transport and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) on the 2024/2025 Festive Season Road Safety Statistics. Consideration of written submissions on the draft Economic Regulation of Transport Amendment Bill of 2024. Committee Room 1, Upper Ground Floor, 90 Plein Building, Parliament, 09:30 –13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs: Deliberations on the donations limit and disclosure threshold to fund political parties and independent candidates. Briefing by the Content Advisor on the summary of written submissions and public hearings on the Immigration Amendment Bill of 2024. Committee Room 2, Upper ground, 90 Plein Street Building, 10:00 – 13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies: Briefing by ICASA on critical steps to address: Cost-to-Communicate; Spectrum Management; Data Analysis; QoS of Network Operator; Broadcasting Service Operators and other License holders; ICASA Business Plan and Funding Model; Inquiry into subscription television broadcasting services in South Africa; Update on the monitoring of the implementation of the Universal Service Obligations emanating from the Spectrum Auction. Briefing by the Competition Commission on the recent reports emanating from all inquiries within the ICT sector investigation for both the telecommunications and broadcasting services. Room 1, Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) Building 11th Floor, Grand Parade, 33 Heerengracht Street, Cape Town, 10:00 – 13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Agriculture: Briefing by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) on the findings of the 2023 Implementation Evaluation of the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan. Briefing by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on key findings of the 2024 National Food and Nutrition Security Survey. M514, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, 09:30 – 13:00
 
WEDNESDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2025
Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans: Briefing by the DMV on its 2024/25 Quarter 3 expenditure and performance report. Update by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans on the status of the DMV Verification Panel. Update by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans on the status of the South African National Military Veterans Association (SANVMA) and planned Conference. Consideration of outstanding minutes. Committee Room 1, Upper Ground, 90 Plein Building, 10:00 – 13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure: Briefing by the DPWI, Parliament and DBSA on the restoration of the National Assembly and Old Assembly project. M201, 2nd Floor, Marks building. 09:30 – 12:30.
 
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies: Briefing by the DCDT on the SABC Bill public hearing submissions. Presentation by CADs on the SITA oversight report. Adoption of SITA oversight report Adoption of minutes. Room 1, Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) Building, 11th Floor, Grand Parade, 33 Heerengracht Street, Cape Town, 10:00 – 13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Social Development: Consideration of the annual report of the Central Drug Authority (CDA) for the 2023/2024 financial year. Briefing by DSD (IMST) on the system to track social grant beneficiaries who wrote and passed matric in 2024 and the impact thereof. M514, 5th Floor, Marks Building, 09:30 – 13:00.
 
Portfolio Committee on Police: Briefing by the SAPS and PSIRA. Internal and Audit Committee on Post-audit Action Plan. Briefing by SAPS on the rationale for closing the Component: Inspectorate. Virtual meeting platform, 09:00 – 12:30
 
FRIDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2025
 
Joint Standing Committee on Defence: Orientation visit of the JSCD to Air Force Base Ysterplaat (Cape Town). Overview briefing by the SANDF on the Arms of Service, key functions and challenges faced. Tour of aircraft and facilities. Ysterplaat Airforce Base, 10:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Basic Education: Engagement with DBE and Umalusi on 2024 NSC Examinations Outcomes and Second Chance Matric Programme. Consideration of Draft Minutes and Draft Reports. Zoom Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30–12:30
 
 

Issued by Parliament