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Deputy President Paul Mashatile is scheduled to appear before the National Assembly (NA) hybrid plenary on Thursday, 08 May, at 14:00 to answer Questions for Oral Reply. In his capacity as Leader of Government Business, the Deputy President is responsible for ensuring that cabinet members attend to their parliamentary responsibilities, including answering questions in Parliament.
 
The Economics Cluster Ministers (Cluster 5) will also appear before the NA to respond to questions from members of the House. The hybrid plenary is scheduled to begin at 15:00 at the Good Hope Chamber in Parliament. Cluster 5 comprises of Ministers responsible for departments of Land Reform and Rural Development;  Public Works and Infrastructure; Small Business Development; Tourism; as well as Trade, Industry and Competition; Transport; and Science, Technology and Innovation.
 
Questions and Answer sessions are among a range of instruments Parliament uses to hold the Executive accountable. Section… of the Constitution stipulates that the executive, including the president, his deputy, and cabinet ministers are accountable to parliament for the exercise of their powers and performance of their functions.
 
On Tuesday, the NA will convene a hybrid plenary at 14:00 for Members’ statements, and to hold two important debates, one on Freedom Day, and another on International Workers’ Day. The debate on Freedom day will be held under the theme, United in our resilience to advance social and economic justice, and to defend South Africa’s democratic order and sovereignty. While the debate on Workers’ Day will be under the topic, Leveraging industrialization and trade to realize decent work and social justice.
 
The sitting will also consider the Report of Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies on Recommendation of candidates for filling of four vacancies in Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Council.
 
On Thursday, the NA Programming Committee meeting will convene at 8:30 to consider the programme, bills before the House, and pressing matters pertaining to the programme of Parliament and legislation.
 
On Friday, from 9:00, the NA will convene two Virtual Mini-Plenary Sessions, as follows:
Mini-plenary 1: 

Subject for discussion, sponsored by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF): (topic to follow).

Subject for discussion, sponsored by Ms L L van der Merwe: The need for a renewed focus and new strategies to tackle gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national crisis.

Mini-plenary 2: 

Subject for discussion, sponsored by Ms K A Ramolobeng: The influence of global white supremacist movements on white nationalism in South Africa

Subject for discussion, sponsored by Reverend K R J Meshoe): The need for measures to ensure that the R500 million earmarked for Spaza Shop Support Fund is used effectively and not misappropriated

Cluster Committee Media Briefing
 
Chairpersons of the NA and NCOP oversight committees belonging to the Social Services Cluster, will on Monday, 5 May 2025, address members of the media as part of the 7thParliament’s Weekly Committee Cluster Media Engagement programme. The briefing is scheduled for 11:00 at the Good Hope Chamber, where the Chairpersons will highlight the critical work undertaken by these committees since the start of the 7th Parliament, with a focus on strengthening oversight, enhancing public participation, and advancing law-making across the sectors covered by the cluster.

The weekly media engagement series began in November last year. They play a crucial role in fostering transparency and keeping the public informed. They provide journalists and citizens with essential insights into the workings of Parliament, promoting a deeper understanding of its critical functions and enhancing accountability in governance.
 
The Social Services Cluster media briefing, is set to feature four Committee Chairpersons listed below: 

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, Mr Leonard Basson, who will talk about Municipalities’ debt to water boards, Cost escalation of projects, Gauteng water shortage, and the 2025 Water and Sanitation Indaba,

The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Social Services, Ms Desery Fienies, who will focus her address on the National Health Insurance, SASSA and the NDA in Social Development, as well as Youth and Persons with Disabilities,

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy, Ms Nonkosi Mvana, will talk about Oversight and legislative programmes, Implementation of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, and Renewable Energy and Just Energy Transition,

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Mr Mammoga Seabi, will discuss the report on the George building collapse, Online housing beneficiary list, Emergency Housing Fund Challenges, Blocked housing projects, as well as Blacklisting of incompetent contractors

NCOP Committee Strategic Planning Session
 
The NCOP will host a two-day Committee Strategic Planning session on Tuesday 06 and Wednesday 07 May, to align committee work to the constitutional oversight functions of the National Council of Provinces. The session is scheduled to begin at 09:00 on both days, and conclude at 17:00 and 16:00 respectively, and is expected to address diverse topics and areas of concern for committees.

Committees serve as the operational engine rooms of Parliament by translating constitutional obligations into measurable oversight, responsive legislation, and participatory democracy. They provide the structured space within which Members of Parliament (MPs) engage deeply with complex policy matters, evaluate executive performance, and drive forward the legislative agenda in a manner that reflects the lived realities of South Africans. The work of committees ensures that Parliament moves beyond symbolic representation to active, accountable governance.
 
There are nineteen (19) committee meetings scheduled this week, including:

TUESDAY, 06 MAY 2025

Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, [Discussion and adoption of the Committees Budget Vote Report and Engagement with the Kings and Queens Forum] Venue to be confirmed, 09:00 – 13:00.
 
Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, [Engagement with DBE and DPME on a Condition Assessment of all public schools in South Africa detailing accurate and reliable statistics on infrastructure, backlogs and shortcomings + Status Update and Progress on School Infrastructure + Update on implementation of Infrastructure Norms and Standards. Engagement with DBE on School Maintenance and Upkeep (Strategies, Capacity and Funding), Consideration and Adoption of Draft Minutes and Draft Report], Committee Room S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Wing, Parliament, Cape Town, 9:30-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Transport, [Briefing by the Department of Transport on its Strategic Plan, 2025/26 APP and 2025/26 Budget (09:30 – 11:30); Briefing by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) on its Strategic Plans, 2025/26 Corporate Plan and 2025/26 Budget (11:30 – 13:00); Consideration and adoption of minutes of proceedings.], M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, 09:30
 
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, [Briefing by GCIS on its 2025-30 Strategic Plan and 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan and Budget. Briefing by MDDA on its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan and 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan and Budget.], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, [Briefing by the DTIC on the progress and outcomes of implementing the Steel and Metal Fabrication Master Plan, Consideration of the first draft of the Budget Vote Report.], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, [Adoption of minutes.], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30 -12:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, [ Update by the Department of Agriculture (DoA) on the status of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and interventions measures to control the spread of FMD. Consideration and adoption of the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) and Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Campus Oversight Visit Draft Report and outstanding minutes]. Virtual Platform, 09:30 – 13:00
 
WEDNESDAY, 07 MAY 2025
 
Select Committee on Appropriations, [National Treasury responses on 2025 Division of Revenue Bill submissions and comments by external stakeholders], M515, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, 10:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Health, [Consideration and adoption of the Committee’s Budget Vote Report; Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30 – 12:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, [Briefing by the Public Works Entities on the 2025/26 Annual Performance Plans: Independent Development Trust (IDT), Agrément SA , Construction Industry Development Board (cidb), Council for the Built Environment (CBE), Consideration and adoption of minutes.], M46, Ground floor, Marks Building, 09:00 – 12:30
 
Portfolio Committee on Police, [Consideration of Petitions.] Virtual Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development, [Consideration of Strategic Plan (2025-29) and 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan of the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development and Commission on Restitution of Land Rights] Committee room 1, 90 Plein building, 9:00 – 14:30
 
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, [Formal consideration of the Budget Vote Report, Briefing by the DTIC on the development and implementation of Energy and provincial One-Stop-Shops, Briefing by the DTIC on progress in implementing the DTIC Group’s red-tape reduction interventions], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Social Development, [Briefing by the National Development Agency (NDA) on its Strategic Plan, Annual Performance Plan and budget for 2025/26 financial year; Briefing by the Parliamentary Legal Advisor on the referral the Older Persons Bill [B11D -2022] for concurrence], Zoom Virtual Platform: 09:00 – 13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Briefing by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) on updates in relation to: resolving students’ appeals, funding decision for 2025 academic year, disbursement of funding and allowances, close-out report, student accommodation and related matters. Consideration of the Committee’s Budget Vote 17 Report. NSFAS Head Office, 4 Christiaan Barnard Street, Cape Town 09:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, Briefing by the DMV on its audit remedial action plan with timelines, Briefing on the status of the DMV Internal Audit capacity, Consideration of Minutes. Virtual Platform, 10:00-13:00
 
FRIDAY, 09 MAY 2025

Joint Committee on Ethics and Members's Interests, [Closed meeting], M314, 3rd floor, Marks Building, 10:00-15:00
 
Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Briefing on the SANDF deployment as part of MONUSCO, Briefing on progress with the SAMIDRC withdrawal, Consideration of the employment letter dated 2 April 20256, Outstanding departmental responses, Consideration of JSCD Standard Operating Procedure on the consideration of letters of employment, Consideration of the Pretoria oversight report, Consideration of Minutes. Virtual Platform, 09:00-12:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development, [Consideration of Strategic Plan (2025-29) and 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan of the Office of the Valuer-General (OVG) and Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB)] Committee room 1, 90 Plein building, 9:00 – 13:00
 

Issued by Parliament