7th Parliament: Write to a Parliamentary Committee
Committees are important venues for parliamentary activities. They are also where most of Parliament’s business is organised and the primary forum for oversight and executive scrutiny. Committees have more time to study, interrogate, and debate proposed legislation, policy proposals, and budget plans and conduct oversight. They also provide a platform for the public to directly engage with Members of Parliament (MPs).
You can view the full list of committees here
The National Assembly parliamentary committees largely mirror the ministries/departments as structured by the Executive. Each committee oversees a department and its entities.
The 7th Parliament has established 36 National Assembly Committees, 11 NCOP Committees and 7 Joint Committees.
Submit your input directly to a Committee here: https://www.pa.org.za/write-committees/recipients/
Committees hold weekly meetings to engage departments and entities on topical issues and other policy and legislative mandates. The work of committees traverses the following:
- overseeing Strategic Plans, Annual Performance Plans (APPs), Budgets and Annual Reports of a department and its entities;
- overseeing the implementation of a department and entities’ programmes and budgetary use and their implementation of the National Development Plan thematic areas (for example, quality of education, skills development, healthcare, housing, water, electricity and sanitation);
- processing legislation and statutory appointments;
- holding public hearings on topical issues and legislation;
- holding inquiries;
- undertaking study tours and oversight visits to provinces and entities and engaging other relevant government departments and institutions such as the Auditor-General of SA (AGSA), the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC), the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), etc. on sectoral issues.
Committees derive their mandate from the Constitution and the Rules of Parliament.
Each Committee determines its programme of work. In practice, most committees decide on their schedule and priorities before or at the start of every new parliamentary term.
Committees draft the programme using a Management Committee (comprised of the Committee Chair and Committee staff). This committee considers the Committee’s legislative priorities, mandate, and standing items, such as the passing of departmental budgets. Committee members can also generate topics for inquiries. The full committee must approve work programmes and must be flexible in considering changing priorities and the political climate.
Notably, stakeholder/interest groups and members of the public can influence Committee programmes, but this is seldom done. Citizens have a right to proactively lobby for their concerns to be included in the programme and to highlight what issues should be prioritised. Further, they can provide parliamentary committees with on-the-ground feedback and expert information.
While Parliament does create opportunities for public participation, you do not have to wait for an invitation and can interact with a Committee or individual lawmakers at any time.
At the start of the Seventh Parliament, committees are holding strategic planning sessions to develop their goals and objectives for the Seventh Parliament. These include interventions, enquiries, priority outcomes, legacy issues to take forward, and how they can enhance their work approach and systems. Try and influence these committees by making a contribution.
Before you engage, we suggest you learn more about the relevant committee, its mandate, and what it has done (see here ). Also, check their legacy reports and programme to see upcoming meetings.
*Committees have different focus areas and oversee different departments and entities.
We suggest you use the questions below as a guide when writing to the Committee.
i. What issues should the relevant Committee put on its agenda and its list of priorities?
ii. Do you have specific experience, information, and research (specifically on the performance of a relevant department and entity that the Committee oversees) that could assist the Committee, and if so, what?
iii. What questions should the Committee ask as it undertakes its oversight work?
iv. Do you have any advice on how the Committee can improve its oversight?
v. Committees approve the budgets of departments and entities. They also recommend that National Treasury either increase or not reduce departmental allocations. What departments and entities should receive more money and why?
vi. In line with its powers and functions, is there a specific investigation and/or inquiry that a Committee should be instituting?
vii. Committees consider legislation from the Executive. They also have the power to initiate legislation. What legislative gaps exist and what legislative fixes are needed? Although ordinary citizens may not submit bills to Parliament, they may lobby MPs or committees to introduce legislation that deals with their concerns.
Submit your input directly to the Committee here: https://www.pa.org.za/write-committees/recipients/ or email Committee Secretaries using the contact details here (*details as of August 2024)
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Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests |
Ms Junilla Du Pokoy – Executive Secretary: Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests |
083 406 5510 |
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Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence |
Committee Coordinator: Alutho Sombexe |
021 403 2793 |
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Joint Standing Committee on Defence |
CS: Nandipha Maxhegwana |
021 403 3689 |
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Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament |
CS: Cindy Balie |
021 403 3667 |
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Committee on Multi-Party Women’s Caucus |
CS: Mandy Balie |
021 403 3673 |
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Constitutional Review Committee |
CS: Pilate Gwebu |
021 403 8257 |
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Portfolio Committee on Agriculture |
CS: Albertina Kakaza |
021 403 3765 |
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Portfolio Committee on Basic Education |
CS: Llewellyn Brown |
021 403 3764 |
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Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies |
CS: Hajiera Salie |
021 403 8264 |
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Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs |
CS: Shereen Cassiem |
021 403 3769 |
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Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services |
CS: Siyabamkela Mthonjeni |
021 403 3734 |
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Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans |
CS: Bryan Mantyi |
021 403 3796 |
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Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour |
CS: Zolani Sakasa |
021 403 3735 |
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Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy |
CS: Arico Kotze |
021 403 3662 |
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Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and Environment |
CS: Tyhileka Madubela |
021 403 3713 |
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Portfolio Committee on Health |
CS: Vuyokazi Majalamba |
021 403 3770 |
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Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training |
CS: Anele Kabingesi |
021 403 3760 |
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Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs |
CS: Eddie Mathonsi |
021 403 3826 |
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Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements |
CS: Kholiswa Pasiya-Mndende |
021 403 3725 |
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Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation |
CS: Lubabalo Sigwela |
021 403 3808 |
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Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development |
CS: Vhonani Ramaano |
021 403 3820 |
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Portfolio Committee on Land and Rural Development |
CS: Phumla Nyamza |
021 403 3852 |
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Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources |
CS: Ayanda Boss |
021 403 3768 |
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Portfolio Committee on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation |
CS: (Stand-in) Nomaxhosa Mooi |
060 551 0377 |
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Portfolio Committee on Police |
CS: Babalwa Mbengo |
021 403 3741 |
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Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration |
CS: Masixole Zibeko |
021 403 8445 |
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Portfolio Committee on Public Works |
CS: Nola Matinise |
021 403 3780 |
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Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation |
CS: Shanaaz Isaacs |
021 403 3763 |
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Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development |
CS: King Kunene |
021 403 3772 |
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Portfolio Committee on Social Development |
CS: Lindiwe Ntsabo |
021 403 8230 |
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Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture |
CS: Ajabulile Mtiya |
021 403 8106 |
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Portfolio Committee on Tourism |
CS: Disang Mocumi |
021 403 8115 |
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Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition |
CS: Andre Hermans |
021 403 3776 |
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Portfolio Committee on Transport |
CS: Valerie Carelse |
021 403 3272 |
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Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation |
CS: Nosipho Bavuma |
060 550 9892 |
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Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities |
CS: Neliswa Nobatana |
021 403 3840 |
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Standing Committee on Appropriations |
CS: Darrin Arends |
021 403 8105 |
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Standing Committee on the Auditor-General |
CS (Stand-in): Mvaba Dumezweni |
060 551 0736 |
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Standing Committee on Finance |
CS: Allan Wicomb |
021 403 3759 |
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Standing Committee on Public Accounts |
CS: Ntombi Nkabinde |
021 403 2376 |
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Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources |
CS: Asgar Bawa |
021 403 3762 |
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Select Committee on Appropriations |
CS: Lubabalo Nodada |
021 403 3669 |
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Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and Public Administration |
CS: Moses Manele |
021 403 3823 |
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Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade |
CS: Grace Dinizulu |
021 403 3779 |
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Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries |
CS: Noluthando Skaka |
021 403 3751 |
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Select Committee on Finance |
CS: Nkululeko Mangweni |
021 403 3782 |
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Select Committee on Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings |
CS: Nkanyiso Mkhize |
021 403 8086 |
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Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and Minister in Presidency |
CS: Hlupheka Mtileni |
021 403 8077 |
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Select Committee on Security and Justice |
CS: Gurshwyn Dixon |
021 403 3771 |
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Select Committee on Social Services |
CS: Marcelle Williams |
021 403 3799 |
About this blog
"That week in Parliament" is a series of blog posts in which the important Parliamentary events of the week are discussed.
We host the latest posts of this blog, written by People's Assembly. You can find more on PA's blog.
About this blog
"That week in Parliament" is a series of blog posts in which the important Parliamentary events of the week are discussed.
We host the latest posts of this blog, written by People's Assembly. You can find more on PA's blog.