Committee Third Term Programme

Meeting report

An apology was received from the Chairperson, Ms M Kubayi (ANC), Ms D Tsotetsi (ANC) took the Chair.

Adoption of minutes of 14 April 2015
Ms M Shinn (DA) pointed out that the word “for” in point 4 on page 6; bullet point 5 should be replaced by “with”. The word “was” in point 4 on page 6; bullet point 8 should be replaced by “were”.

Members agreed with the correction.

The Acting Chairperson suggested that the phrase “less fortunate students” in point 5 on page 6 should be replaced by “needy students”.

Members agreed with the addition.

Ms L Maseko (ANC) moved for the adoption of the minutes of 14 April and seconded byMs J Kilian (ANC).

The minutes were adopted with amendments.

Adoption of minutes of 05 May 2015
Ms Maseko recalled that she had sent an apology to the Chairperson on the day but this had not been reflected in the apologies.

Mr C Mackenzie (DA) pointed out that it was not enough to only note the late apology of the Director-General (DG) of the Department, Ms Rosey Sekese, as unacceptable in point 1 on page 3 as there was action that needed to be taken against the unaccountable Executive.

Ms Kilian also agreed with that suggestion and recommended that the Committee should write to the Minister so as to conduct an inquiry into the absence of the DG in one of the most important meetings for the Committee. This is to prevent the recurrence of such behaviour; and the primary responsibility of Members was to keep the Executives and the organs of state accountable.

Members agreed with the suggestion.

Adoption of minutes of 12 May 2015
Ms Maseko indicated that she had also sent an apology on the day but had not been reflected in the apologies.

Ms Shinn corrected that “explain” point 2 on page 2; first paragraph should be replaced by “explained”.

Ms N Ndongeni (ANC) moved for the adoption of the minutes and this was seconded by Mr E Siwela (ANC).

The minutes were adopted with amendments.

Adoption of third term programme
Ms Kilian recommended that Members should be provided with the outline of the course for Training of Members in 20-24 July 2015, as it would be helpful for the new Members of Parliament (MPs).

The suggestion was noted.

Mr Mackenzie suggested that since the venue for Strategic Planning Session in 28-29 July 2015 had not been allocated it would be proper to host the session in Parliament instead of looking for accommodation somewhere else.

The Acting Chairperson said that it would be proper to find an alternative venue as Members had a tendency of disappearing to their offices when the Strategic Planning Session was hosted in Parliament. 

Ms Kilian indicated that the programme should be adopted as work in progress as the Committee might decide on other priorities to be included after the Strategic Planning Session.

Ms M Shinn (DA) added that indeed the programme was perpetually a work in progress and allowed for changes to be factored in. She reminded the Committee that there would be no flexibility of the programme in the last term because of the Budget Review and Recommendations Report (BRRR).

The programme was adopted with amendments.

Matters arising
Ms Shinn wanted to know why the scheduled briefing by the National Electronic Media and Institute of South Africa (NEMISA) did not happen today.

The Acting Chairperson responded that this matter still needed to be ascertained from the Chairperson in the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned.