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Following the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, Parliament will reconvene for a joint sitting of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday and Wednesday at 14:00 to debate the SONA.

The President will reply to the debate on Thursday at 14:00.

The State of the Nation Address 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. It is one of the important moments in South Africa’s democratic calendar. Delivered at the start of the parliamentary year, SONA sets out government’s priorities, plans and policy direction for the year ahead.

The SONA debate is a central part of Parliament’s constitutional role in holding the executive to account. During the debate, Members of Parliament from various political parties interrogate, scrutinise and assess the commitments made by the President, raise concerns from communities and question whether government’s plans respond to the country’s social and economic challenges. This process ensures that government programmes are subjected to public accountability and democratic debate.

The President’s reply to the debate allows the executive to respond directly to issues raised by Members and to provide further clarity on government’s plans. Together, the debate and the reply reinforce transparency, accountability and dialogue between the executive and the representatives of the people.

The SONA debate and the President’s reply will be held at the Nieuwemeester dome on the corner of Roeland and Plein Street.

The SONA-related sittings this week will be preceded by the virtual sitting of the National Assembly on Tuesday, at 10:00, to consider a request from the Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for an extension of its mandate. The committee’s current mandate expires on 20 February 2026, and it is requesting an extension until 31 March 2026 to complete its work. In terms of National Assembly Rule 253(6), an ad hoc committee ceases to exist if it has not completed its task by the prescribed date, but may be revived by decision of the Speaker or resolution of the House. The committee has indicated that it still needs to engage several outstanding witnesses and requires additional time to finalise hearings and process its report to the House.

On Thursday at 08:30, the NA and the NCOP Programming Committees will have their respective meetings to plan the business of the Houses. The meetings will consider draft programmes, committee reports and bills before the Houses.

Parliament continues to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities of law-making, oversight and facilitating public participation. Much of this work takes place through parliamentary committees, where Members examine government performance, consider legislation in detail and create opportunities for the public to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives.

There are 29 committee meetings scheduled for this week, as outlined below:

TUESDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2026
Joint Meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and the Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development: Briefing on the outcome of the split of the former Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, focusing on the allocation, distribution and coordination of key functions such as cooperative enterprise development (CED), post-settlement support and related areas. Consideration and adoption of the PC on Agriculture Committee Oversight Visit Report to the Eastern Cape, 27  to 31 October 2025. Virtual Platform, 10:30 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Transport: Consideration of way forward on the petition by Ms N Mbuthuma from the Amadiba community requesting the National Assembly to investigate their concerns regarding the N2 Wild Coast Toll Highway Project. Consideration and adoption of report on the petition by Mr Cuthbert on behalf of the Daveyton Community. Consideration and adoption of the draft report on the Department of Transport 2025/26 First and Second Quarter Expenditures. Consideration and adoption of the draft report on the Committee’s Oversight Visits to KwaZulu-Natal Province from 27 to 30 January 2026.  Consideration and adoption of the draft programme for the interviews for candidates for the Transport Economic Council (TEC). Consideration and adoption of minutes of proceedings. Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:30

Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration (Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation): Departmental and Parliamentary Legal Service responses to oral and public written submissions on the object of the Public Service Commission Bill. Briefing by the Department of Water and Sanitation on the object of South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Amendment Bill. Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture: Minister’s comprehensive overview of the state of national federations, including key challenges related to the financial support provided to athletes. Input by national federations on the cuts in their funding as well as reallocations. Consideration and adoption of draft committee minutes. Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:30 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Tourism: Briefing by the Department of Tourism on the second and third term performance reports. Briefing by the South African Tourism on the second and third term performance reports. Consideration and adoption of the draft first-term programme. Consideration and adoption of minutes. Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:30 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources: Meeting with Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF) delegation. Committee Room S35, First Floor, NCOP Building, 12:30 – 13:30

Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services: Briefing by the Department of Correctional Services on Second quarter performance report (2025/26), M314, Third Floor, Marks Buildings, 10:30

Portfolio Committees on Home Affairs: Briefing by the Department of Home Affairs on the first, second and third quarters’ performance and financial expenditure reports for 2025. Committee Room 2, 90 Plein Street Building, 10:30 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition: Engagement with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition and film industry stakeholders on the crisis in the film industry, NCOP Building: S12A. 10:00 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Engagement with Eastern Cape Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee on the outcome of the 2025 summer initiation season. Virtual Platform Meeting, 09:00 – 12:30

Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies: Adoption of Committee Minutes (6 Feb and 10 Feb 2026). Briefing by ICASA and FPB on their First and Second Quarter Performance and Expenditure Reports FY 2025/26. Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:30 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Basic Education: Engagement with DBE and Umalusi on 2025 NSC Examinations Outcomes and Second Chance Matric Programme. Consideration of Draft Minutes and Draft Reports. 90 Plein Building, Committee Room 1, Ground Floor, 10:30 – 12:30

WEDNESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2026
Portfolio Committee on Health: Briefing by the Minister of Health on contingency measures following the placement of ARV suppliers under business rescue. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 12:00

Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development: Briefing by the IMC on land reform on progress in relation to the implementation of the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Panel. Progress report on the development of priority legislation: (i) Equitable Access to Land Bill (ii) Communal Land Tenure Bill. Committee Room S12A, NCOP Building, Ground Floor, 09:30 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour: Briefing by the Department of Employment and Labour on the First and Second Quarterly Performance Report of the following entities in meeting their Strategic Objectives in 2025/26 – Compensation Fund (CF), Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and Consideration of Draft Minutes of 28 January 2026. Virtual Platform Meeting, 09:00

Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and Minister in the Presidency: Briefing by the Department of Transport on its 2025/26 Mid-Year performance Monitoring Report. Status report on the resolution of disputes related to the Go! Durban Integrated Public Transport Network Corridor. Briefing by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) on its 2024/25 Annual Report and 2025/26 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign outcomes. Consideration of the Report on the Oversight Visit to National Department and Public Entity Sites in the Gauteng Province as part of a Joint Oversight Week with the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration from 21 to 25 October 2025. Boardroom 4031, Fourth Floor, 90 Plein Street, 10:00 – 13:00

Joint Meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs and Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour: Briefing by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Department of Home Affairs (DHA), Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) on the employment of foreign academics at universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges. Committee Room M314, Third Floor, Marks Building, 09h00 – 13h00

Portfolio Committee on Social Development: Briefing by the Central Drug Authority (CDA) on its annual report for 2024/2025 financial year. Adoption of minutes. Virtual Platform Meeting, 09:00 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, DPME and National Planning Commission briefing on progress made, and assessment of government achievement of National Development Plan (NDP) targets AND status update on state capacity and performance towards the implementation of the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), Committee consideration of the DPME monitoring report on provincial and national departments’ performance, and Heads of Department performance report. Committee Room 2, 90 Plein Street, 09h00 - 13h00

Select Committee on Security and Justice: One Stop Border Post Bill Briefing by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), Briefing by the Minister of Police on escapes in South Africa and the Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape on Escapes from Custody in the Western Cape. Adoption of committee reports: Free State Oversight report and Progress Reports of the Magistrates Commission. Salga Office: The Towers, Sixteenth Floor, 2 Heerengracht, Cnr Hertzog Boulevard Foreshore, 10:00 – 13:00

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, Opinion by the Parliamentary Constitutional and Legal Services Office (CLSO). Consideration of outstanding minutes. Parliament, Committee Room S26, NCOP Building, 09:00 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration: Briefing on the Insourcing Bill [B19 - 2025] and submission received by the author Ms O Maotwe, MP. Consideration and adoption of the minutes. Parliament, Committee Room M515, Fifth Floor Marks Building, 10:00 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure: Briefing by the DPWI on progress regarding the implementation of the Audit Action Plan. Consideration and adoption of minutes. Marks Building, M201. 09:00 – 14:00

Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements: Motion of Desirability on Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land (PIE) Bill. Follow up on the progress made on Ga-Rankuwa/Mabopane Petition, Breede Valley Petitions and Slovo Park Petition. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 13:00

FRIDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2026

Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition: Engagement with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Minister of Transport, Minister of Finance, Western Cape MEC of Economic Development and Tourism, Transnet National Ports Authority and National Treasury on unblocking obstacles to the development of the Atlantis SEZ and the Freeport Saldanha IDZ. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Engagement with the PC on Mineral Resources relating to Richards Bay Minerals. Virtual Platform Meeting, 09:00 – 12:00

Ad Hoc Committee on the Review and Amendment of the Parliamentary Villages Management Board Act (No. 96 of 1998): Presentation by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure on locating the powers and functions of the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure in respect of Parliamentary Villages (including the provision of GIAMA). Existing policies, guidelines, practice notes, etc., in respect of Parliamentary Villages. The results of the latest physically verified occupancy audit for each of the Villages. A five-year (historical) budget and expenditure for all costs associated with each of the Villages. The factors informing its determination of rental amounts (including subsidisation and sliding-scale determinations). Identification of legislative and policy gaps. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 10:00

Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements: Briefing by the Commission for Gender Equality on “Do women reap what they sow? The experiences of women farm workers, a sequel 2025.” Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 13:00

 

Issued by Parliament