That week in Parliament

  The United Nations passed a resolution to recognize the International Day of Parliamentarism (aka World Parliament Day) as “an opportunity to celebrate Parliaments, as the cornerstone of democracy, and as institutions designed to improve the lives...

COVID-19 A notice returning South Africa to lockdown level four was gazetted on 28 June, backdated to the previous day. The adjusted disaster management regulations for lockdown level four have since confirmed measures announced in President Cyril...

COVID-19 A Government Gazette notice officially returning South Africa to lockdown level three was published on 15 June. Adjusted regulations gazetted the same day formalised restrictions announced in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation...

COVID-19 The State of Disaster has been extended until 15 July. A new consolidated ministerial directive on occupational health and safety measures gazetted on 11 June: replaces one issued in October 2020 gives employers 21 days to: decide if they...

  On Wednesday, June 16, South Africa will be celebrating Youth Day. This is an opportune moment to reflect on the ages of our Members of Parliament. A fundamental principle of democracy is that political systems should mirror society as a whole and...

The second term concludes for NCOP delegates. From next week, they will join their NA counterparts who have been on recess since 7 June. A big chunk of the year has been spent considering the 2021/22 national budget. After the Minister of Finance...

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT A recently gazetted national policy on child care and protection is expected to serve as a roadmap for strengthening and building on existing promotive, preventative and responsive services and programmes. B-BBEE The broad-based...

The National Assembly is officially on recess from today until 17 August. Meanwhile, the NCOP’s second term will run until 21 June. The NCOP chamber has arranged a varied agenda for delegates. Highlights include Oral Questions and Replies with the...

  On Tuesday, 1 June, Parliament’s Budget Vote came up for debate in plenary sittings of the National Assembly (NA) and National Council of Provinces (NCOP). We glean the key takeaways.   A hybrid Parliament The Speaker of the NA, Ms Thandi Modise, in...

  Has Parliament failed the people of South Africa?  The Institute for African Alternatives (IFAA) asked the experts, and ordinary citizens, what Parliament can do to uphold the checks and balances in our Constitution. Read their suggestions in the...