It's still early days, and Parliament is slowly returning to life after the lengthy summer break.

The first term will run for 12 weeks and will be action-packed and eventful. The major highlights include the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the subsequent debates; the Budget Speech and its processing; oversight, legislative and committee work; and urgent debates on matters of national public importance.

With no sittings scheduled in the main chambers this week, the Committee corridor will be the main source of parliamentary action.

Away from Plein Street, the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training will conduct week-long oversight visits to post-school education and training (PSET) institutions in the North West and Gauteng provinces. According to Parliament, “these visits are part of the committee's mandate to evaluate the readiness of PSET institutions for the academic year 2025”.

NCOP delegates will participate in a two-day Training and Capacity Development Session. The training seeks to enhance their work.

Read more: Training Members of Parliament

As the new parliamentary session unfolds, there are several key areas to note:

GNU: The nature of coalition government means that Parliament plays a critical role in determining how the dynamics of the inter- and intra-party relationships play out from vote to vote and issue to issue. The GNU has challenges implementing certain policies due to ideological differences among coalition partners.  These deep fissures mean that coalition stability is threatened weekly as parties must navigate complex relationships while addressing urgent national issues. It will be interesting to see if the parties can agree on a common programme of action they can collectively support. The first test will be the State of the Nation Address – which sets the tone – and ensuing budget proposals, which allocate resources to government priorities. With various parties chairing different committees, inter-party relationships will be critical in ensuring effective oversight and accountability within government operations. The functioning of these committees will influence how legislation is scrutinised and passed.

Legislation: 2025 is set to be a big legislative year, and legislating will take up a significant chunk of the parliamentary programme. There are 22 bills before Parliament, including a mix of consequential, medium-level, and minor legislation. Some key laws to watch out for are the National State Enterprises Bill, Regulation of Interception of Communications Bill, Protection of State Information Bill, and Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill. The Leader of Government Business is expected to table the government’s full 2025 legislative priority list by April. The anticipated coalition legislation is amongst the most contentious. As the 7^th Parliament enters its first year, we can expect more bills to be introduced by committees and individual MPs.

See: List of bills

Electoral Reform: The Electoral Reform Consultation Panel is delving into far-reaching questions about the institutional design, structure and functions of representative democracy. This could potentially have a significant impact on the legislative sector. By 29 May 2025, the Panel is required to submit a report to the Minister of Home Affairs for tabling in Parliament and identify possible options for electoral reform.

Court Matters: Did the National Assembly fail to carry out its constitutional obligation to hold the President accountable in terms of section 89 of the Constitution? The Constitutional Court will answer this question when it delivers its judgment in the EFF’s application challenging Parliament's decision not to proceed with an impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala matter. This will, of course, have a significant impact if the court decides in the EFF’s favour.

Changes and Zondo Commission: This year could see the establishment of a committee to oversee the Presidency and amendments to strengthen Parliament’s role in amending the budget. After a slow start, we can also expect more updates on the implementation of the Zondo Commissions Recommendations.

 

TUESDAY, 28 JANUARY 2025

PC on Agriculture, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the external expert on the food safety implications of the contamination of food products from spaza shops by an agricultural pesticide that resulted in several deaths in two provinces]. Virtual Platform, 09:00 – 10:30.

Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, (National Assembly), [Engagement with the Minister regarding allegations of governance failures at the SABS and related matters, and any plans to mitigate against this] Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00.

WEDNESDAY, 29 JANUARY 2025

Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development, (National Assembly), [The Portfolio Committee will discuss the recent developments at Ingonyama Trust Board, the postponement of the oversight visit and future oversight activities on the ITB], Virtual meeting platform, 09:30 – 13:00

Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (National Assembly), [Consideration of the PCDMV first term programme, Update by the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) on the status of SAMHS pharmacies and reports of pharmacies that were set for closure, Consideration of outstanding minutes]. S12A, NCOP Building, 10:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Social Development (National Assembly; [Briefing by the Department of Social Development on the progress made on the drafting of the Children’s Amendment Bill; Consideration and adoption of the draft 4^th term committee programme; Adoption of outstanding minutes and reports] Virtual Meeting Platform: 09:00 – 13:00.

Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the NCC on its amended/revised APP and 2^nd quarter financial and non-financial performance for the 2024/25 financial year, Briefing by the DTIC and the NCC on its response to the national disaster of classified foodborne illnesses], S35, 1^st floor, NCOP, 09:30-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the DPWI and IDT on: Plans to ensure financial viability of the IDT through recouping fees owed from client departments among others plans to sustain the entity through project rollout and details of provinces and municipal sites where IDT projects are situated Consideration and adoption of minutes] Physical WS3/116, 3^rd floor, 90 Plein Street, 09:30-12:30.

THURSDAY, 30 JANUARY 2025

Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, (National Assembly), [Consideration and adoption of First Term Programme 30 January to 4 April 2025, Consideration and adoption of outstanding minutes and reports], M515, Marks Building, 09:30-13:00 

FRIDAY, 31 JANUARY 2025

Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy, (National Assembly), [Briefing by Eskom on their 2023/2024 Financial Year Annual Report.  Venue Virtual platform], 09:30-13:00

 Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Minister of Human Settlements on the following: Constitutional Court Judgment on the City of Cape’s implementation of the national housing program: emergency accommodation, Human Rights Commission report on poor workmanship by the Northwest Department of Human Settlements and non-payment of contractors by North-West Provincial Department of Human Settlements], M515, 5^th floor, Marks Building, 09:30-13:00.

 

Committees provide a platform for the public to present views directly to MPs. Share your thoughts, on-the-ground experience and expert information with the relevant committees. Critically, what questions should MPs pose to the Executive as they conduct their oversight work? Write to a Parliamentary Committee

 View the schedule page here

The schedule is subject to frequent changes and needs to be checked daily.

People's Assembly aims to connect the public to their elected representatives. One way of doing so is through our Replocator tool , which allows you to search for the elected representative in your area.

[Photo: The construction of the Dome tent in the Nieuwmeester parking lot is well under way. It is expected to house Plenaries and other larger sittings this year while Parliament continues to rebuild from the devastating fire in 2022]