Happening at Parliament this week
This week President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to address a joint sitting of the National Assembly (NA) and National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The 2019 State of the Nation Address (SONA) is scheduled for Thursday 7 February 2019 at 19h00. The theme for this year’s event is: “Following up on our commitments: Making Your Future Work Better”.
The Address further affords the President an opportunity to speak to the nation on the general state of South Africa, to reflect on a wide range of political, economic and social matters within the domestic and global contexts. Moreover, SONA is a mechanism used by the President to account to the nation on the work of government and to set out government’s program of action.
The State of the Nation Address will be preceded by a parliamentary dialogue with invited stakeholders and members of the media, themed “Let’s talk SONA: Rules and Procedures” on Tuesday. The dialogue is intended to, amongst others, unpack the significance of SONA, the administration of the joint sitting and the associated rules, conventions and traditions which are an expression of our democratic constitutional order.
In the meantime, Committees of Parliament continue with their work of considering various bills and other business. During this week, 15 Committees from the NCOP and NA are scheduled to meet on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Included in the work of the Committees will be consideration of 7 Bills; namely the National Health Institute of South Africa Bill, Carbon Tax Bill, Draft Financial Matters Amendment Bill, Airports Company Amendment Bill, and the Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company Amendment Bill.
On Monday the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs will hold an enquiry into the alleged closing off of the Clifton 4th Beach to members of the Public. Stakeholders expected include Department of Environmental Affairs; City of Cape Town; Responsible Security Company; South African Police Service; Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) and the Department of Tourism.
On Tuesday the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs will hold an enquiry into the benefit sharing agreement in the Western boundary of the Kruger National Park between SANParks, Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) and the Communities.
The Portfolio Committee on Transport will hold deliberations on the Airports Company Amendment Bill and The Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company Amendment Bill. The Standing Committee on Finance will finalize and vote on theCarbon Tax Bill; while National Treasury will brief the Committee on the Draft Financial Matters Amendment Bill.
On Wednesday the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises will be briefed by the Department of Public Enterprises on the Repeal of the Overvaal Resorts Limited Bill. The Select Committee on Education and Recreation will be briefed by the Department of Basic Education and Umalusi on 2018 matric results.
Standing Committee on Finance will deliberate on the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) Bills and the Financial and Fiscal Commission referral.
The Ad Hoc Committee inquiring into the intervention in the North West Provincial Government in terms of Section 100 of the Constitution will be briefed by the Inter Ministerial Task Team (IMTT).
For the latest full schedule of committee meetings (updated regularly), please click:https://www.parliament.gov.za/parliament-tv
Enquiries:
Moloto Mothapo
Cell: 082 370 6930
