Social Services Cluster Ministers answer Oral Questions in Parliament , 10 Mar

Executive Members of Cluster 2: Social Services to answer oral questions In National Assembly

As part of the government’s responsibility and commitment to accountability Members of the Executive in the Social Services Cluster will on Wednesday 10 March 2021 answer oral questions in the National Assembly.

The following Members of the Executive are expected to engage with members of parliament on questions asked:

• Minister of Health
• Minister of Social Development
• Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
• Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
• Minister of Basic Education
• Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize will address questions relating to amongst others:

• Progress made on government’s Covid-19 vaccination programme.
• Speculations by various science experts on a potential resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic and cautioning South Africans about the possibility of a third wave.
• Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) and National Health Insurance

Minister of Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu will address questions relating to amongst others:

• Progress made on the completion of the reassessments of lapsed grants by 31 March 2021, and measures put in place to ensure that the provinces that struggle to meet the specified deadline are supported.
• Plans by the department to absorb the unemployed graduates to assist society to cope with the impact of COVID-19.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa will address issues relating to amongst others:

• The COVID-19 Relief Fund for Sport, Arts and Culture support measures contributing to the livelihoods of those within the sector who have been severely affected by COVID-19.
• The fundamental issues that arose from the National Reconciliation Dialogue on Racism and Gender-based Violence and Femicide, Social Cohesion and Nation-building.
• Update on unpaid grants.

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande will address issues relating to amongst others:

• NSFAS funded programmes for 2021 academic year.
• Measures put in place in allocation of funds for NSFAS funded students.

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshega will address issues relating to amongst others:

• Progress made in implementing the rationalisation policy and steps taken to address the specified policy in schools with a community population large enough to sustain the schools.
• Measures put in place to ensure that all learners are placed in schools for the 2021 academic year.
• Schools that still make use of pit latrines and those that do not have access to permanent reticulated and/or borehole water.

Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu will address issues relating to amongst others:

• Recently released SA Human Rights Commissioner’s report and planned government response to Vaal water and sanitation challenges.
• Progress made in providing human settlement infrastructure for fire victims at Masiphumelele in Hout Bay and Taiwan in Khayelitsha.

The Oral Reply session is expected to start at 15:00 to 19:00 via a hybrid plenary session and can be followed on various social platforms.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParliamentofRSA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParliamentofRSA
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ParliamentofRSA
Parliament TV: Dstv Channel 408

For further media inquiries related to the above please contact the relevant Ministry spokespersons