This week's major highlight is the induction and capacity-building training programme scheduled to run from Tuesday until Friday.

Parliament’s performance depends on the calibre and capability of individuals elected to serve in it. Political parties have different systems, criteria, and interests when selecting their members. They also lack the necessary capacity, expertise, and resources to develop MPs and provide them with the specialised training they need.

Parliament prepares an induction and educational programme for all MPs to address this gap. This enables them to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to work as public representatives and lawmakers.

The induction comprises information sessions on a range of topics including: the core business of Parliament, the roles and responsibilities of Members and Office Bearers, ethical standards for members, engaging with civil society, gender-responsive planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, as well as an introduction to parliamentary structures and support.

On their own, induction programmes are insufficient as they tend to be short and touch on the most basic details. It is therefore combined with practical studies, exchanges with peers, study visits to different parliaments, engagement with civil society and other experts (including institutions supporting democracy) and ongoing training on specific key themes. Further, Parliament encourages MPs to capacitate themselves by registering for courses that would support them in their work.

Beyond this, both houses have scheduled plenary sittings for Tuesday.

Among the items on the NCOP agenda are the election of the Permanent Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, Programming Whip, House Chairpersons, and the election of members to represent the NCOP at the Pan African Parliament, the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum, the Judicial Services Commission, Members of the Magistrate Commission, Members that will serve as trustees of the Political Office-Bearers Pension Fund, and PARMED Medical Aid Scheme Trustee Members.

Meanwhile, the NA will revive the Appropriation Bill, elect House Chairpersons, and elect members to represent the NA at the Pan-African Parliament, Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum, and the JSC.

Now that the new Cabinet has been announced, the NA Rules Committee is expected to meet and finalise the NA committee structures. Last week, the NCOP agreed to establish 10 oversight committees. Committees are deemed the engine of Parliament as they oversee and scrutinise the work of government by providing a platform for debate and ensuring accountability

Following this, committees are expected to elect chairpersons before they consider the budget vote process. The 2024/25 budget must be passed by the end of this month.

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.