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President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to appear before the National Assembly (NA) plenary on Tuesday, 11 March, at 14:00 to answer Questions for Oral Reply from Members of Parliament. On Thursday, at 14:00, the Social Services Cluster: 2B Ministers will appear before the NA to give oral replies to questions by members. This cluster comprises ministers in the national departments of health, human settlements, social development, sport, arts and culture, and water and sanitation.

Cluster 2A of Social Services Ministers will appear in a hybrid questions-and-answer session before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). It comprises ministers from the national departments of basic education and higher education and training.

Questions for Oral Reply sessions are among the mechanisms Parliament uses to hold the executive accountable. This is in accordance with section 92 of the Constitution, which provides that the President, the Deputy President, and all executive members of Cabinet are accountable to Parliament for performing their functions and exercising their powers. They are required to provide Parliament with regular and full reports on matters of national public importance under their jurisdiction.

Budget Speech:
On Wednesday, 12 March, the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, is scheduled to deliver the 2025 Budget Speech at 14:00 in the NA temporary Chamber, the Nieuwmeester Dome in Parliament. 

Minister Godongwana will also introduce the Appropriation Bill and table the 2025 Division of Revenue Bill, which Parliament will process in the following months. During the Budget Speech, the minister will indicate the allocation of financial resources to the national government’s priorities, which President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined in the State of the Nation Address in February. 

Minister Godongwana will outline all the financial, economic and social commitments the government will prioritise in its planned expenditure. He will provide a detailed plan for 2025 spending, including proposals for revenue collection to help fund the government’s planned interventions and commitments.

Pre-Budget Media Engagements:
The chairpersons of the Finance Cluster Committees will host a pre-budget media engagement tomorrow (Monday, 10 March) at the Capital on 15 Orange Hotel in Cape Town from 9:00 to 12:00.

The Finance Cluster chairpersons will brief members of the media and various other stakeholders about Parliament’s rigorous oversight and accountability role in ensuring that the national budget serves the needs of all the people of South Africa. The committees are the Standing Committee (SC) on Appropriations, chaired by Mr Mmusi Maimane; the Select Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Ms Tidimalo Legwase; and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts that Mr Songezo Zibi chairs. 

·   Mr Maimane will engage the media on whether the budget allocations reflect national priorities and how the committee will monitor departmental spending to prevent underspending in critical areas such as health, education and infrastructure, which can hinder service delivery. 

·   Ms Legwase will outline the Select Committee on Appropriation's work in monitoring provincial and municipal expenditure trends as the Committee focuses on the equitable and effective allocation of funds to provinces and local governments, amongst the many other functions. 

·   The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) holds the executive accountable for financial management and expenditure. In this regard, Mr Zibi will mainly expand on the importance of strengthening consequence management within government to curb financial mismanagement and corruption. Also, the committee’s vital role in monitoring the implementation of corrective measures is to ensure that recommendations from the Auditor-General are acted upon to avoid a cycle of financial mismanagement.

Other NA Business:
On Thursday, at 08:30, the NA will convene its Programming Committee Meeting (NAPC) to consider the parliamentary programme, the committee reports and legislation (Bills) before the House.
At its Thursday afternoon plenary sitting, starting at 14:00, the House will also debate International Women’s Day and discuss legislation and parliamentary committee reports.

On Friday, from 10:00 to 13:00, the NA will hold two virtual mini-plenary sessions on topics sponsored by the African National Congress, the Democratic Alliance and the uMKhonto weSizwe Party.

National Council of Provinces:
The NCOP will hold a Ministerial Briefing Session on School Infrastructure and Equipment at its hybrid plenary on Tuesday from 10:00 to 16:00. The session will be held under the theme: “Providing proper Infrastructure and facilities to ensure quality education for a safe and healthy learning experience for quality education outcomes.”

The NCOP’s questions and answer session on Thursday will be preceded by the Council’s Programming Committee meeting at 08:30 to consider its parliamentary programme, committee reports and legislation (Bills) before the NCOP. 

International Engagements:
Delegates from the South African Parliament will participate in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Global Conference on Women Parliamentarians, held from 13 to 16 March in Mexico City, Mexico.:
The conference, organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), provides an exciting new platform for women Members of Parliament to come together, exchange experiences, learn from each other, and define common and innovative strategies to advance gender equality and women’s rights and empowerment. 

Parliamentary Committees:
There are about thirty-three (33) committee meetings scheduled for this week, which include:

TUESDAY, 11 MARCH:
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies: Update by NEMISA on the implementation of the National Digital and Future Skills Strategy. Briefing by MICSETA on implementing the National Digital and Future Skills Strategy. Consideration of the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies’ letter on the appointment of candidates to serve in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Council. Adoption of minutes. Room 1, NFSAS Building, 4 Christiaan Barnard Street, Cape Town,10:00 – 13:00.

Portfolio Committee on Basic Education: Briefing by the DBE on the Analysis, Implications and Impact of the President’s SONA 2025. Briefing by the Gauteng Department of Education on issues pertaining to learner admissions, learner migration trends, gaps and backlogs in learner placements. Briefing by the Western Cape Department of Education on issues pertaining to learner admissions, learner migration trends, gaps and backlogs in learner placements. Consideration of Draft Minutes (11 and 18 February 2025). Committee Room 2, 120 Plein Building, 09:30 – 12:30.

Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs: Committee deliberation on the Political Party Funding upper limits and disclosure thresholds for political parties, independent candidates and independent representatives. Responses by the Department of Home Affairs and the Parliament Legal Services on the submissions and public hearings on the Immigration Amendment Bill of 2024. Briefing by the Minister of Home Affairs on matters of governance raised by labour unions and GPW management and the minister’s oversight visit to Bosman Printing Factory. Briefing by the Border Management Authority (BMA) on the report of the festive season operations. M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building 10:00 – 13:00.

Select Committee on Education and Creative Industries: Engagement with the Office of the Auditor-General on the following: An overview of the audit outlook for the education, sciences and creative industries portfolio and addressing Material Irregularities (MIs). Reviewing previous recommendations and commitments and considering and adopting minutes of proceedings. Venue: TBC 10:00 – 13:00.

Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Briefing by the National Treasury on various matters relating to procurement, SOCs, and cost management (value for money on goods/services procured). M514, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, 09:00 – 13:00.

Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry: Briefing by the IDC on its amended/revised APP and third-quarter financial and non-financial performance for the 2024/25 financial year. Committee Room 2, 90 Plein, 09:30 – 13:00.

Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration: Joint meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration and the Standing Committee on Finance on the SATBVC State Committee petition on pension redress. Good Hope Chambers, Ground Floor, Parliament, 10h00 – 13h00.

Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture: Briefing by the Department on Sport, Arts and Culture on the stability and governance matters at all entities (board appointments and governance). Update by the department on all criminal cases (case numbers, etc.) and forensic investigations within the entities, federations and CCIFSA. Consideration and adoption of minutes. S26, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, 09:30 – 12:45.

Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Briefing by the South African National Biodiversity Institute on their First and Second Quarter Reports for the 2024/25 financial year. Briefing by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority on their First and Second Quarter Reports for the 2024/25 financial year and briefing by the SAFCOL on their First and Second Quarter Reports for the 2024/25 financial year. Virtual meeting platform, 09:30 – 13:00.

Portfolio Committee on Transport: Public Hearings on the Merchant Shipping Bill of 2023. Cape Sun Hotel, 23 Strand Street, Cape Town City Centre, 09:00.

Portfolio Committee on Agriculture: Briefing on the Department of Agriculture on 2024/25 Q3 Performance and Expenditure Report and progress on implementation of Audit Improvement Plans by the former Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), and the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB). Response by the Department of Agriculture on agricultural matters pronounced in 2025 SONA. M314, Third Floor, Marks Building, 09:30 – 13:00.

Portfolio Committee on Minerals and Petroleum Resources: Briefing by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources on the State of the South African Mining Industry and briefing on the Exploration and the Critical Minerals Strategy for the Mining Industry of South Africa. Consideration and adoption of Minutes of 18 February 2025. S35, First Floor, NCOP Building, 09:00 – 13:00.

Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities: Briefing by the Content Advisor on scoring outcome. Briefing by the Legal Advisor on NYDA legal processes. Deliberations and adoption of the NYDA report. Briefing on the establishment and appointment of candidates to the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Board (NCGBVF). Consideration and adoption of the GBVF Council nomination advertisement and programme. Adoption of minutes and reports. S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, 09:00 – 13:00.

Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation: Briefing by the DSTI and National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) on the Intellectual Property from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act (IPR Act). Virtual meeting platform, 9:30 – 12:30.

Portfolio Committee on Tourism: Briefing by South African Tourism on the Marketing Investment Framework and International Marketing Hubs. Consideration and adoption of minutes. Boardroom WS3/116, Third Floor, 90 Plein Street, 10:00.

Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services: Briefing by the Department of Correctional Services on its learnership programme. Background and way forward, including an update on the recruitment process for the new intake. Committee Room 1, 120 Plein Street, 10:00.

Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Briefing by the Auditor-General on the RAF Audit Outcome for 2023/24. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 11:00.

WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH:
Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans: Background briefing by the Office of the AGSA on irregular expenditure related to Project Thusano. Briefing by the Chief of the SANDF and Chief Financial Officer of the DOD on the new contract signed under Project Thusano with effect from January 2025, what it entails, how it differs from the previous contract and how it addresses previous AGSA findings. Consideration of outstanding minutes. M515, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, 10:00 – 13:00.

Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure: Presentation of the updated state of government's Immovable Asset Register. Demonstration of the Immovable Asset Register by the PMTE Real Estate Registry Services. Consideration and adoption of the Agrément Industry and Stakeholder Forum report. Consideration and adoption of minutes. Committee room 4, 90 Plein Street Building, 09:30 – 12:30.

Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements: Briefing by the metropolitan municipalities on the performance of the Urban Development Grant (USDG) and the Management of the Beneficiary List in Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, Mangaung, and eThekwini. Room 1, Castle of Good Hope, Buitenkant Street, City Bowl, Cape Town, 09:30 – 13:00.

Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade: Briefing by South African Broadcasting Corporation on the entity’s financial sustainability, operational challenges and problems encountered in the implementation of its turnaround strategy. Briefing by the South African Broadcasting Corporation on its new strategy. Consideration and adoption of minutes. M514, Fifth Floor, Marks building, 16:00 – 19:30.

Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and Minister in the Presidency: Introductory Session with Transnet - Introduction to Mandate, Divisions and Historical Attainment of Performance Targets. Committee Room S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, 10:00 – 13:00.

Joint meeting with Standing Committee on Appropriations, Select Committee on Finance, Standing Committee on Finance, and Select Committee on Appropriations. 2025 Budget Lock-up Session. TBC, 11:00 – 14:00.

Select Committee on Social Services: Consideration and adoption of the committee’s first term programme 2025. Briefing by the Department of Social Development on the 2023/24 Annual Report. Consideration and adoption of Committee Draft Minutes. Venue: TBC,10:00 – 12:30.

Portfolio Committee on Police: Briefing by the SAPS, IPID, CSPS, PSIRA, Office of the DPCI Judge, and DNA Board on progress made to the committee recommendations in the Budgetary Review and Recommendation Reports. Virtual meeting platform, 08:00 – 12:30.

Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training: Briefing by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on progress in appointing new Board members for the new Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) landscape. M314, Third Floor, Marks Building, 09:00 – 13:00.
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry: Briefing by the NCR on its amended/revised APP and third-quarter financial and non-financial performance for the 2024/25 financial year. M201, Second Floor, Marks Building, 09:30 – 13:00.

Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy: Briefing by the Secretariat of the G20 Energy Workstream on the objectives of the Energy Workstream, planning and logistics and the role of the Portfolio Committee in the Workstream. (11:00 – 13:00) Briefing by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on investigations relating to Eskom. S35, First Floor, NCOP Building, 09:00 – 13:00.

Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development: Briefing on 2024/25 Third Quarter Performance Report by the Department of Small Business Development and Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA). Venue: TBC, 09h30 – 13:00.

FRIDAY, 14 MARCH:
Joint meeting with the Standing Committee on Appropriations, Select Committee on Finance, Standing Committee on Finance, and Select Committee on Appropriations: Briefing by the Minister of Finance on the 2025 Budget. S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, 10:00 – 11:00.

Joint Standing Committee on Defence: Introductory engagement with the Reserve Force Council (RFC). Briefing on the status of the SANDF Reserve Force, its utilisation and challenges, including plans for rejuvenation. Consideration of outstanding minutes. Virtual meeting platform, 10:00 – 13:00.

Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament: 2023/24 Annual Report of the Parliament of the RSA. Briefings by the Auditor-General of South Africa, the Executive Authority and administration. M514, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, 14:00 – 18:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy: Update by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on the National Solar Water Heater Programme (NSWHP). Virtual meeting platform, 08:00 – 09:50.
 

Issued by Parliament of South Africa