Budget Vote Speech by: Hon. Thoko Didiza, Mp Speaker of the National Assembly Debate on Vote 2: Parliament
House Chairperson
Deputy Speaker
Leaders of Political Parties
Chief Whips and the whips of all political parties
Chairpersons of Portfolio Committees and Joint Standing Committees
Honourable Members
House Chairperson, it is an honour and privilege that I table Parliament’s budget vote 2 for your consideration and approval. Budget debates enable us to account to the electorate on our work and how we have utilised- and plan to utilise- public resources in our ongoing effort to transform our society.
As Parliament, we occupy an important space in the country's democratic architecture. We are the shapers of our legal frameworks that enable the Executive to implement the priorities of government. We are the voice of our people in their diversity. Parliament is the window through which the people can see our Country and a mirror through which people of our Country must see themselves. It is therefore the true embodiment of our quest for democracy and the realisation of the aspiration that ‘the people shall govern’ and the constitutional commitment to “we the people” Wherefore, Parliament is not only responsible for lawmaking, oversight of the executive, public participation, cooperative governance, and international participation but it must make sure that it promotes human dignity, equality, non-racialism, non-sexism, and supremacy of the constitution. All members of Parliament are individually and collectively responsible for the credibility and legitimacy of this august institution of our people.
House Chair, as guardians of the use of public resources, Parliament has enormous responsibility to lead by example in terms of its own conduct, its effective use of resources, hence this Budget speech. Our constitutional democracy is rooted in transparency and accountability, hence the budget debates to ensure that public representatives explain their plans for the year ahead and account for the resources that are allocated for those plans to the people of South Africa.
We must all answer the question, how will all these budget debates respond practically in enhancing economic growth and inclusion, ending extreme poverty, absorbing particularly young people to employment, and deal with the state of despondency and helplessness amongst our people.
Honourable Members, the budget process for this year has raised important issues for us as legislators on how we need to pay a specific attention to the cycle of our work, in particular the budget process.
Secondly, it tested our system on how to mediate and navigate issues whenthere is divergence and moderate their impact on our society. The process also tested our own processes and procedures.
If we agree that the vexing challenges that our country faces are unemployment, poverty and inequality, therefore the laws that we make must give answers to these questions. Our oversight must ensure that we assess to what extent government programs at all levels address these challenges. We must ensure that we hold the Executive accountable to the course of transforming the lives of our citizens so that everyone of them enjoys the dividends of our constitutional democracy.
Hon Members, in the past year, the seventh Parliament commenced with the process of developing a strategic plan for the current administration. This process was driven by the multi-party-political working group chaired by House Chairperson Cedric Frolick on the side of the National Assembly. The NCOP had various planning sessions that also included the views of the provinces and local government. Out of the
planning sessions of the two Houses, the following priorities were agreed to:
- Strengthening oversight and enhancing accountability frameworks
- Enhancing the legislative process and public involvement
- Improving public appointment processes
- Improving international engagement
Today, we table the 2025/2026 Budget of Parliament which reflects spending priorities to be addressed by the allocation received. The budget includes allocation to our core business which includes law making, oversight and accountability. It also includes resources earmarked for supporting members of Parliament as they execute their functions, as well as the rebuilding of Parliament.
Honourable Members, what drives our processes in Parliament are committees. It is therefore important to ensure that committees are adequately resourced and have an insight into the resources they have on an annual basis for better planning. In this year’s budget we have allocated R3 million rands per portfolio committee. In addition, resources for public participation have been enhanced to ensure that public hearings on law making by portfolio committees is improved.
As part of engaging the public, our parliamentary communication services have initiated regular cluster briefings to empower and inform our society on the work of various committees of Parliament. Our Parliamentary broadcasting services continue to ensure that the public is educated on the work of Parliament through daily broadcasting of committee sessions and plenaries. We are conscious that not all committee rooms are equipped with such facilities. We will ensure that the rebuilding project finally addresses this situation.
Hon Members, in supporting the work of committees, we are increasing research capacity through the appointment of more researchers. The capacity of our language services was raised sharply by members last year. In addressing this situation, we are recruiting more language practitioners so that at every sitting of the National Assembly and the Council we have adequate capacity as well as in specific sessions of committees where this service becomes essential. Moreover, our information and communications technology unit are building capabilities to service our members better. We are currently recruiting for a Chief Information Officer.
Honourable Members as part of addressing the legacy issues from previous Parliaments, we are tracking and upscaling the implementation of recommendations from various panels and commissions. Some of these issues relate to the Ad-hoc Committee report on the review of Chapter Nine and Associated Institutions commonly known as the Asmal Report.
Since the start of the 7th Parliament, we have been engaging almost all the relevant institutions regarding the recommendations arising from the Asmal report. Although this process is not complete, certain issues have been raised and are common across institutions, such as the entities’ effective reporting to Parliament and the processing of their reports as part of supporting the oversight mechanisms of Parliament. The other relates to the inconsistences regarding the appointment processes of office bearers
in these institutions.
Another crucial matter from the legacy basket is the output of the High-level Panel on the Assessment of Key Legislation and the Acceleration of Fundamental Change. This was channelled into various committees, and we will follow up with the portfolio committees on progress made.
Regarding the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector, including Organs of State (the State of Capture report) some significant progress has been attained, as follows:
• The electoral reform consultation panel was approved by the National Assembly in 2024
The following laws aimed at combatting corruption have since been passed -
- The Financial Matters Amendment Act,
- The General Laws Amendment Act (known as the Anti-money laundering and combatting terrorism financing),
- The National Prosecuting Amendment Act,
- The Judicial Matters Amendment Act,
- The National Small Enterprise Amendment Act,
- The Public Procurement Act, and
- The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act.
Honourable Members, as you are aware Parliament has governing structures that assist in its operations such as the Rules Committee, the Programme Committee and the Chief Whips’ Forum. Since the start of the Seventh Parliament, the Rules Committee has amended the rules of the House to provide for a committee on Executive Undertakings and Petitions as well as rules on amending money bills, among others.
A decision on the oversight of the Presidency was taken by the Rules Committee and presently, modalities and scope are being deliberated upon by the Rules Sub-committee. Furthermore, individual member oversight and unannounced visits by committees are being investigated by the Rules Sub -committee.
Legislation passed
Honourable members, from the bills referred to Parliament, the National Assembly has passed 15 Bills and referred them to the National Council of Provinces. Presently 27 bills are being processed by committees of the National Assembly. To track the processing of legislation, particularly public hearings, we have developed a portal that we will be piloting.
Oversight visits by committees:
During the past year, 48 oversight visits have been conducted by portfolio committees. This obviously oes not include individual member oversight.
Oral Questions to the Executive
In the National Assembly, 572 oral questions were asked to the Executive including the President and Deputy President. Almost ninety percent of replies were received. One of the areas that need our improvement is how in our robustness we allow the Executive time to answer questions posed, without disruptions or spurious points of order. This will also ensure that we do not disadvantage members who are supposed to ask the follow up questions.
Honourable members, on written questions there were 3315 posed to the Executive, and only forty-nine per cent of replies were received. I have raised concerns to the Executive through the leader of Government business on this matter. Members will remember that two weeks ago we reprimanded the Members of the Executive in this very House on this matter. We trust that we will see improvements going forward.
House Resolutions
In the last financial year, we committed to this House that we will put up a tracking mechanism to monitor the uptake of House Resolutions by the Executive and this we have done, albeit in a manual format at this stage. Going forward, on a quarterly basis, we will report to this House on how we are proceeding on House Resolutions.
Rebuilding of Parliament
Hon Members, I would now like to talk about the rebuilding of the new wing of the National Assembly and the Old Assembly Wing of Parliament. Members will appreciate that the sixth Parliament commenced
with this work. In essence, a tri-lateral agreement between Parliament, Public Works and Infrastructure and National Treasury was reached that Parliament will be responsible for the rebuilding project. Parliament then entered into a contractual agreement with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to be its implementing agent. The architectural design was done and shared with members before finalisation.
To ensure oversight on the project, a Steering Committee was set up including Parliament, Public Works and Infrastructure, the National Treasury and DBSA. Parliament appointed a Project Manager whose task
was to monitor the implementation of the project and be a liaison between Parliament and DBSA.
Given the loss of office space due to the fire, Parliament requested that resources for refurbishment of office space for members be allocated. 155 offices for members were completed and 54 are under refurbishment to be finished by end of September 2025.
Honourable members in addressing the impact of the fire to parliamentary work, existing infrastructure has been used where possible including hybrid sessions. Alternative venues such as City Hall for full physical sittings for the State of the Nation address have been utilised. A temporary facility such as the DOME has been provided by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and is presently under refurbishment. Currently the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament expects a report on the financial impact for Parliament and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure following the report received on the cost implications for such refurbishment.
Honourable members, forty-two per cent of our budget goes towards members benefits, such as remuneration, entitlements, medical aid for current and former members of Parliament and Provincial of 13
Legislators as well as the transfers to political parties for constituency work, and political party administration.
Legislative Sector Coordination
Honourable members, cooperation between Parliament and Provincial Legislatures is paramount to ensuring accountability and adherence to processes across the legislative sector. The Speakers’ Forum is one strategic place that fosters relations and coordination within the legislative sector. It provides an opportunity for coordination with Provincial legislatures which is necessary for the standardisation of procedures in the sector.
Parliamentary Diplomacy
Hon Members, In the past year we have continued to make an impact on regional and global affairs. This we do in order to advance our countries national interest. We also participate in these international fora in order to build friendship and solidarity and most of all to create a better Africa and a better world.
Honourable Members as part of our priorities of deepening and advancing our Parliamentary diplomacy, our Parliament will be hosting the G20 Speakers Summit in October. In the build up to the Summit, we have ensured that our sectoral parliaments focus on our P20 thematic areas and make proposals for the Summit. I wish to applaud our young parliamentarians who were part of the planning and execution of this year's youth Parliament that was a resounding success.
Our representatives to SADC have ensured that they give impetus to the transformation of SADCPF to a full regional parliament. Motions presented by our members have ensured that as a region we promote peace in conflict areas, we address issues of Child marriages and increased women and youth participation in our respective parliaments. In the PAP we have continued to look at model laws and participate in election observer missions. The same can be said on our participation in the IPU and BRICS
Honourable Members, I have met with our PGIR committee to work on guidelines for entering into friendship committees with other parliaments. Hon Members, I wish to conclude by highlighting that, despite the many constraints of the parliamentary programme, we have endeavored to find opportunities over each term for individual members to solicit and raise issues of concern from their constituencies. This involves making use of both parliamentary forums as well as providing time and resources for community work. Indeed, we should, as this Parliament moves forward, continually reflect on how we can deepen links with our communities.
Hon Members, the tabling of the budget Vote 2 will enable Parliament to focus on the key priorities which I have mentioned earlier. The total budget for Parliament for the 2025/26 financial year amounts is R5.08
billion and the total allocation received from the National Treasury amounts to R3.58 billion. This includes R500 million for the restoration and refurbishment of the Parliamentary buildings. The allocation for the
contribution to medical aid of former members of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures amounts to R71.2 million.
I, therefore, table the Budget Vote 2 for your consideration.
I thank you!
