Small Business Development

National Assembly Committee

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Oversight responsibility of Small Business Development Portfolio Committee

The Small Business Development Portfolio Committee is responsible for oversight of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) as well as the following statutory entities:

Small Enterprises Development Agency (SEDA)
Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA)

Committees conduct their business on behalf of the House and report back on matters referred to them.

Learn more about the work of this Committee: Legacy Reports

 

The role and functions of Committees in Parliament (provided by Parliament)
In accordance with the powers given to it by the Constitution, the National Assembly establishes a range of committees with assigned powers and functions. The committees are required to report regularly on their activities and to make recommendations to the House for debate and decision. A large part of the Assembly’s role in the law‑making process happens in committees and much of its oversight over the executive is also done through committees, particularly the portfolio committees.

There is a portfolio committee for each corresponding government department. The composition of the committees reflects, as far as is practicable, the numerical strengths of the parties represented in the Assembly. That committee will deliberate on bills covering that department’s area of jurisdiction and scrutinise and report on its annual budget and strategic plan. As the people’s representatives, members of the committees determine whether government departments are delivering on what they promised and whether they are spending the public money they receive in a responsible manner. As part of their oversight work, committees may also do site visits where they find out directly from the people at ground level whether the government is delivering on its promises.

If a committee reports on a matter and makes certain recommendations, that report will be debated in a full sitting or plenary to give other members of the House an opportunity to engage with the content of the report. Once the report has been debated, the House decides whether to adopt the committee’s recommendations. The House may also decide only to note the report or it may refer the report back to the committee with an instruction to do further work

Broadly speaking, the mandates of Committees are to consider and process legislation referred to it; exercise oversight over the Department and entities reporting to it; consider international agreements referred to it; consider the budget vote of the Department and its entities; facilitate public participation in its processes; and to consider all other matters referred to it in terms of legislation and the Rules of Parliament

Working in Committees allows Parliament to:

-Increase the amount of work that can be done

-Ensure that issues can be debated in more detail than in plenary sessions

-Increase the level of participation of Members of Parliament (MPs) in discussions

-Enable MPs to develop expertise and in-depth knowledge of the specific Committee's area of work

-Provide a platform for the public to present views directly to MPs, something which is not possible in a plenary sitting of Parliament

-Provide an environment for Parliament to hear evidence and collect information related to the work of a specific Committee

Powers

Rule 167 of the National Assembly Rules (9th Edition) say that for the purposes of performing its functions  committee may, subject to the Constitution, legislation, the other provisions of these rules and resolutions of the Assembly –

-Summon any person to appear before it to give evidence on oath or affirmation, or to produce documents

-Receive petitions, representations or submissions from interested persons or institutions

-Permit oral evidence on petitions, representations, submissions and any other matter before the committee

-Conduct public hearings

-Consult any Assembly or Council committee or subcommittee, or any joint committee or subcommittee

-Determine its own working arrangements

-Meet at a venue determined by it, which may be a venue beyond the seat of Parliament

-Meet on any and at any time, including –

  • On a day which is not a working day
  • On a day on which the Assembly is not sitting
  • At a time when the Assembly is not sitting, or
  • During a recess

-Exercise any other powers assigned to it by the Constitution, legislation, the other provisions of these rules or resolutions of the Assembly

Committee Membership

Committee membership is distributed among the parties roughly in proportion to the seats they get in Parliament, so if a party wins 20% of the seats, its MPs will occupy about 20% of committee positions.

The NA Rules Committee agreed that all Committees will be comprised of 11 Members: ANC – 6; DA – 2; EFF – 1; other parties – 2. 

Where it is practicably possible, each party is entitled to at least one representative in a Committee.

Read More: A note to the Sixth Parliament: Committee Membership

Read More: A Note to the Sixth Parliament: The critical role of Committee Chairperson

 

Committees in Practice

With the agreement of members, the Committee staff sets the dates and times of committee meetings. The frequency of committee meetings is determined by a committee’s work programme but it is normal for a committee to meet weekly. From time to time, committees can meet more than once a week if they work programme so demands.

Section 59(1)(b) of the Constitution requires that the National Assembly and it’s committees conduct their business in an open manner and hold their sittings in public. Section 59(2) states that the National Assembly may not exclude the public or the media unless it is ‘reasonable and justifiable to do so in an open and democratic society’. Rule 184(2) of the Rules of the National Assembly further require that any decision to exclude the public from a committee meeting or part thereof must be taken ‘after due consideration’ by that committee

Who attends Committee Meetings?:

MPs (those assigned to the committee and if they so wish, any other MP)

Committee Staff: Committee Secretary, Committee Assistant, Researcher, Content Advisor

Departments, entities, organizations, individuals and experts who are invited by the Committee to speak and be questioned

Parliamentary Legal Advisor (from time to time)

Media

General Public


THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES OF PARLIAMENT

Portfolio Committees
The National Assembly (NA) appoints from among its members a number of Portfolio Committees to shadow the work of the various national government departments.

Select Committees
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) appoints from its permanent members a number of Select Committees to shadow the work of the various national government departments and to deal with Bills.

Because only 54 of the 90 NCOP Members are permanent delegates compared to the 400 of the NA, the Select Committees oversee the work of more than one national government department.

Public Accounts Committees
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Public Accounts acts as Parliament's watchdog over the way taxpayers' money is spent by the Executive. Every year the Auditor-General tables reports on the accounts and financial management of the various government departments and State institutions.

Heads of government departments and institutions are regularly called by this committee to report and account for expenditure. The Committee can recommend that the National Assembly takes corrective actions if necessary.

Internal Committees
The National Assembly has a number of internal committees that deal with matters affecting the running of Parliament. The Committees normally consist of senior Members of Parliament. The Rules Committee and its sub-committees deal with House rules. There are structures to deal with support for Members, internal arrangements, disciplinary matters and powers and privileges of members. Other internal Committees are the Programme Committee that plans the work of the Assembly, the Disciplinary Committee, and the Committee of Chairpersons.

The National Council of Provinces also has its own domestic Committees. The Rules Committee and its subcommittees deal with the NCOP rules. There are structures to deal with support for Members, internal arrangements, disciplinary matters and powers and privileges of members. The Programme Committee plans the work of the NCOP and the Committee of Chairpersons make recommendations about the functioning of Committees and other NCOP forums.

Ad hoc Committees
Parliament or one of its Houses may appoint an ad hoc (temporary) Committee when a special task must be done. When the task is complete, the Committee is dissolved.

Joint Committees
The National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces together appoint a number of joint committees.

There are six Joint Committees:
- Constitutional Review Committee
- Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence
- Joint Standing Committee on Defence
- Committee on Multi-Party Women’s Caucus
- Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament
- Joint Standing Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests

The committees play a very important role in the process of building democracy and involving the public in the processes and activities of Parliament.

 

 

 

No results.

06 Mar 2024 Cannabis and Hemp Industry: Challenges and Opportunities
28 Feb 2024 DSBD, SEFA and SEDA Q2 &3 of 2023/24 Performance
21 Feb 2024 Election of Chairperson; 2024 First Term Committee Programme; Germany Study Tour Report
05 Dec 2023 National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill: adoption
01 Dec 2023 National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill: consideration
30 Nov 2023 National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill: Legal Services Input & Public Participation Report
30 Nov 2023 National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill: deliberations
29 Nov 2023 National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill: DSBD response to public submissions; with Deputy Minister
28 Nov 2023 National Small Enterprise Bill: public hearings
18 Oct 2023 Small Business Development BRRR; Progress on Preparations for Provincial Public Hearings
11 Oct 2023 DSBD, SEFA & SEDA 2022/23 Annual Reports; with Minister
10 Oct 2023 DSBD Portfolio Audit Outcomes
05 Oct 2023 National Small Enterprise Development Bill concept document & public hearings programme
23 Feb 2024 ATC240223: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on Its Study Tour to Germany to Learn On Cooperatives Development Experience from 19 - 24 June 2023, Dated 21 February 2024
05 Dec 2023 ATC231205: Report of the Portfolio Committee On Small Business Development Public Hearings on the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill [B16 – 2023] In all Provinces From 26 October to 23 November 2023, as well as in Parliament On 28 November 2023, Dated 30 November 2023
05 Dec 2023 ATC231205: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on the Adoption of the B-Bill of the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill [B16 – 2023], Dated 05 December 2023.
05 Dec 2023 ATC231205: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on the Motion of Desirability of the National Small Enterprises Amendment Bill [B16 - 2023], Dated 05 December 2023
23 Oct 2023 ATC231023: Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, Dated 18 October 2023
29 May 2023 ATC230529: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on Budget Vote 36: Small Business Development for the 2023/24 financial year, dated 10 May 2023
29 May 2023 ATC230529: Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, Having Undertaken the Oversight Visit to the North West Province from 27 – 31 March 2023, Adopted on Wednesday, 24 May 2023
15 Mar 2023 ATC230315: Submission of a Legislative Proposal to Amend the National Small Enterprise Act, 1998 (Act 102 of 1996): Memorandum in terms of Rule 273 of the Rules of the National Assembly by the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, Dated 22 February 2023
10 Nov 2022 ATC221110: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on the Petition from Independent Field Technicians Regarding Contractual Disagreement with Telkom Openserve - Referred to the Portfolio Committee by the Speaker of Parliament for Consideration, Dated 09 November 2022
25 Oct 2022 ATC221025: Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, Dated 19 October 2022
09 May 2022 ATC220509: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on Budget Vote 36: Small Business Development for the 2022/23 financial year, dated 4 May 2022
29 Nov 2021 ATC211129: Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, Dated 24 November 2021
20 Aug 2021 ATC210820: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development jointly with Portfolio Committee On Trade, Industry And Competition and Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour following a fact finding visit to Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces, Dated 18 August 2021
18 May 2021 ATC210518:Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on Covid-19 Debt Relief Fund Beneficiaries virtual oversight, dated 12 May 2021
18 May 2021 ATC210518:Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on Budget Vote 36: Small Business Development for financial year 2021/22, dated 12May 2021
20 Nov 2020 ATC201120: The Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, dated 18 November 2020
17 Jul 2020 ATC200717: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on Adjustment Budget Vote 36 of the Department of Small Business Development for the Financial Year 2020/21, Dated 16 July 2020
04 Jun 2020 ATC200604: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on Budget Vote 36 of the Department of Small Business Development for Financial Year 2020/21, Dated 29 May 2020
22 Oct 2019 ATC191022: Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, dated 22 October 2019
10 Jul 2019 ATC190710: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on Budget Vote 31 of the Department of Small Business Development for Financial Year 2019/20, Dated 10 July 2019
20 Mar 2019 ATC190320 :Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on its Activities Undertaken During the 5th Parliament (May 2014 – March 2019), dated 20 March 2019
20 Mar 2019 ATC190320: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on its Activities Undertaken During the 5th Parliament (May 2014 – March 2019), dated 20 March 2019
20 Feb 2019 ATC190220: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on the Motion of undesirability of the Small Enterprises OMBUD Service Bill [B 14-2018], dated 20 February 2019
17 Oct 2018 ATC181017: The Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development
17 Oct 2018 ATC1811017: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on its Study Tour to Spain To Learn on Cooperatives Development Experience from 15 - 22 September 2018, dated 17 October 2018
10 May 2018 ATC180510: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on Budget Vote 31 of the Department of Small Business Development for Financial Year 2018/19, dated 10 May 2018
02 May 2018 ATC180502: Report of the Select Committee on Economic and Business Development on Budget Vote 31: Small Business Development Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan 2018/2019 of the Department of Small Business Development, dated 02 May 2018
18 Oct 2017 ATC171018: Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development
21 Jun 2017 ATC170621: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on the Motion of Undesirability of the Red Tape Impact Assessment Bill [B 13-2016], dated 21 June 2017
12 May 2017 ATC170512: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on Budget Vote 31 of the Department of Small Business Development for financial year 2017/18
31 Mar 2017 ATC170331: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, having undertaken the oversight visit to Mpumalanga Province from 27 - 31 March 2017
08 Mar 2017 ATC170308: The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development visited KwaZulu-Natal Province during 30 January - 03 February 2017, dated 08 March 2017
16 Nov 2016 ATC161116: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on its Oversight Visit to Limpopo undertaken on 28th January to 02 February 2016, Dated 16 November 2016
24 Oct 2016 ATC161024: The Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development
23 Nov 2015 ATC151123: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on its Oversight visits to Kwazulu-Natal Undertaken on 25th and 26th November 2014 and to Eastern Cape and Gauteng on 27th January to 5th February 2015 Respectfully, dated 18 November 2015
28 Oct 2015 ATC151028: Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business, dated 28 October 2015
19 May 2015 ATC150519: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan (Budget Vote 31) of the Department of Small Business Development for financial year 2015/16, dated 19 May 2015
ATC250509: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development on Budget Vote 36: Small Business Development for the 2022/23 financial year, dated 4 May 2022
08 Jan 2024 NW4201 by Mr J N de Villiers - Whether, with regard to the energy relief...
08 Jan 2024 NW3182 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - Whether her department has purchased any new...
08 Jan 2024 NW3159 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - Whether the needs of any specific sector of...
08 Jan 2024 NW4200 by Mr J N de Villiers - Whether she will provide an update on (a)(i)...
08 Jan 2024 NW4158 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - Whether her department has put in place any...
08 Jan 2024 NW4157 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - Whether her department has any step-by-step...
27 Dec 2023 NW3817 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - What (a) total amount was spent on the...
27 Dec 2023 NW4022 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - Whether her department enables positive and...
27 Dec 2023 NW4021 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - What was the total (a) amount spent on her and...
27 Dec 2023 NW3806 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - Whether she will furnish Inkosi B N Luthuli...
07 Dec 2023 NW3384 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - What total (a) number of new (i) small and...
07 Dec 2023 NW3395 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - Whether her department has put timeframes in...
07 Dec 2023 NW3299 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - Considering that approximately 70% to 80% of...
30 Oct 2023 NW2754 by Mr G R Krumbock - (a) What total amount did (i) her department...
30 Oct 2023 NW2913 by Ms B Mathulelwa - What (a) total number of rural cooperatives...
30 Oct 2023 NW2912 by Ms B Mathulelwa - What (a) has she found to have been the...
30 Oct 2023 NW2676 by Mr H C C Krüger - Whether, in light of the Auditor-General’s...
31 Aug 2023 NW2507 by Ms B Mathulelwa - In light of how small businesses and/or...
31 Aug 2023 NW1880 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - What other steps has her department taken to...
18 Jul 2023 NW1933 by Ms B Mathulelwa - On what date is it envisaged that she would...
21 Jun 2023 NW2118 by Mr J N de Villiers - Whether her department has undertaken any...
19 Jun 2023 NW2121 by Mr M Bagraim - With reference to the assertion of the...
19 Jun 2023 NW2107 by Ms K B Tlhomelang - What (a) steps has her department taken to...
19 Jun 2023 NW2116 by Mr H C C Krüger - Whether her department is implementing any...
19 Jun 2023 NW2117 by Mr J N de Villiers - Whether her department has undertaken any...
19 Jun 2023 NW2128 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - With reference to her announcement during her...
19 Jun 2023 NW2142 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - Whether, considering that the former Minister...
19 Jun 2023 NW2216 by Mr M Bagraim - With reference to the President of the...
13 Jun 2023 NW2080 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - (1)Whether her department has the exact...
13 Jun 2023 NW2010 by Mr D F Mthenjane - What are the reasons that the Small Enterprise...
13 Jun 2023 NW2009 by Mr D F Mthenjane - What total number of (a) spaza shops in the...
13 Jun 2023 NW2008 by Mr D F Mthenjane - (1) What are the reasons for the Industrial...
13 Jun 2023 NW2003 by Ms B Mathulelwa - What recent interventions has she put in place...
13 Jun 2023 NW1978 by Mr K Ceza - What steps of intervention has she taken to...
26 May 2023 NW1588 by Mr D F Mthenjane - What (a) are the reasons for the reversal of...
26 May 2023 NW1587 by Mr D F Mthenjane - (a) “What are the reasons for the overspending...
26 May 2023 NW1586 by Mr D F Mthenjane - (a) “What are the details regarding the cash...
26 May 2023 NW1520 by Mr H C C Krüger - What steps is her department taking to raise...
26 May 2023 NW1519 by Mr H C C Krüger - How is (a) her department monitoring and...
26 May 2023 NW1518 by Mr H C C Krüger - What (a) progress has been made in terms of...
26 May 2023 NW1357 by Mr H C C Krüger - (a) What partnerships has her department...
26 May 2023 NW1355 by Mr H C C Krüger - (1)What are the full details of (a) her...
26 May 2023 NW1776 by Mr D F Mthenjane - How do the Small Enterprise Finance Agency and...
26 May 2023 NW1775 by Mr D F Mthenjane - In light of the fact that it has been noted...
26 May 2023 NW1731 by Inkosi B N Luthuli - (a) How do events such as the Presidential...
26 May 2023 NW1686 by Mr H C C Krüger (DA) - (1)Given the critical importance of prompt...
26 May 2023 NW1685 by Mr H C C Krüger - Whether she will furnish Mr H C C Krüger with...
26 May 2023 NW1356 by Mr H C C Krüger - What measures has her department taken to...
09 May 2023 NW669 by Ms B Mathulelwa - Whether her department has undertaken any...
26 Apr 2023 NW615 by Mr H C C Kruger - What number of (a) cooperatives and (b) small,...

All questions to the Minister

Bill name Date introduced Number Status
National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill 29 Jun 2023 B16-2023 Under consideration by the National Council of Provinces.
Small Enterprises Ombud Service Bill - Mr T Chance (DA) 29 May 2018 B14-2018 Rejected
Red Tape Impact Assessment Bill - Mr H Krüger (DA) 18 Oct 2016 B13-2016 Rejected
2024 3 meetings Attendance rate 65%
2023 25 meetings 73%
2022 32 meetings 72%
2021 20 meetings 72%
2020 24 meetings 76%
2019 16 meetings 89%
Detailed attendance data by committee and MP Learn about our Attendance Methodology

Contact

Secretary of Committee:

King Kunene 

Tel: 021 403 3772

Cell: 082 335 2839

Cell:  071 363 2252

Email: [email protected]

Secretary to Chairperson

Nomtha Zixesha

Te: 021 403 2615

Cell: 083 709 8518

Email: [email protected]

 

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