After several intense weeks, there is a lull in the parliamentary agenda for the coming week. The National Assembly’s constituency period commences today, while the NCOP concludes its term on Wednesday. Both will resume on 19 August 2024.

A lot was packed into the first term of the Seventh Parliament.

Members were sworn in and received training. In addition, the legislature elected new leadership, held an Opening of Parliament Address, set up structures, assigned Members to Committees, and designated them to various bodies.

A big chunk of the time was spent considering the 2024/25 national budget. One of the main functions of Parliament is to discuss and pass the budget. Every year, the Minister of Finance introduces the budget in Parliament. It is discussed in Committees, debated in the two Houses, and a vote is taken. The NCOP is scheduled to consider the 2024 Appropriation Bill on Wednesday. Once approved, this will conclude Parliament’s processing of the 2024 budget. The government can only spend money if Parliament has approved it. Parliament will monitor spending and performance quarterly and make adjustments, if necessary, during the October/November mid-term budget process.

On Monday, the NCOP will revive five bills:

-Marine Oil Pollution (Preparedness, Response and Cooperation) Bill [B10B-2022] (National Assembly – sec 76);

-Older Persons Amendment Bill [B11B–2022] (National Assembly – sec 76);

-Public Administration Management Amendment Bill [B10B–2023] (Na-tional Assembly – sec 76);

-Public Service Amendment Bill [B13B–2023] (National Assembly – sec 76); and

-Municipal Demarcation Authority Bill [B14B- 2022] (National Assembly- sec 76).

The bills will resume from the same stage they were at the end of the Sixth Parliament. Separately, the National Assembly revived 14 bills in this term.

 

There are three meetings scheduled in the NCOP Committee corridor:

MONDAY, 29 JULY 2024

Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, (National Council of Provinces), [Consideration of Department of Small Business Development Policy Assessment and Recommendation Report; Consideration of Second Term Committee Programme], Virtual Meeting Platform, 13:00-14:00

TUESDAY, 30 JULY 2024

Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries, (National Council of Provinces), [Consideration and adoption of the following: Draft Minutes; Draft 2^nd term Committee programme; Presentation of the 6^th Parliament Committee Legacy Report by the Content Advisor], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-12:30

Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries on Vote 32 and Annual Performance Plans; Consideration and Adoption of Minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00

 

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View the schedule page here.

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

Constituency periods provide MPs with valuable opportunities to connect with their communities, understand local needs, and effectively represent their constituents' interests in Parliament.

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