Small Business Development
National Assembly Committee
About this committee
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.
National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill | |
Amended Definition for Small Enterprises in South Africa | |
Red Tape Assessment Draft Bill [PMB-2016] | |
Draft Regulations on Co-operatives |
NW3034 by Dr L A Schreiber - What is the current total Rand value of her... | |
NW3097 by Mr H C C Krüger - With reference to the (a) letter, dated 31... | |
NW2565 by Mr C H H Krüger - What are the reasons of her non-attendance of... | |
NW2044 by Mr Z N Mbhele - (1)What number of small and medium enterprises... | |
NW2045 by Mr Z N Mbhele - Whether, with reference to her reply to... | |
NW1973 by Mrs D B Ngwenya - What (a) is the role of her department in... | |
NW1485 by Ms A L A Abrahams - (1)With reference to the total number of... | |
NW1811 by Ms R N Komane - In light of the suspension of the Township... | |
NW2073 by Mr D F Mthenjane - What (a) total number of small businesses have... | |
NW1953 by Ms R N Komane - What total (a) amount has been disbursed by... | |
NW2043 by Mr Z N Mbhele - (a) On what date will the reviewed... | |
NW1156 by Mr W W Wessels - (1)With reference to her reply to question 916... | |
NW1162 by Mr H C C Krüger - Whether her department has a strategy to... | |
NW757 by Mr M G E Hendricks - (1)With reference to the total number of 16... | |
NW916 by Mr W W Wessels - Whether her department awarded any tenders... | |
NW911 by Mr V Zungula - What steps is she taking to (a) assist small... | |
NW781 by Mr Z N Mbhele - What (a) number of applications have been... | |
NW277 by Mr Z N Mbhele - (a)(i) What total amount in funding was... | |
NW771 by Prof C T Msimang - What steps has her department taken to promote... | |
NW1374 by Mr W F Faber - Whether her department did business with... | |
NW1177 by Mr N E Hinana - Whether her department incurred any costs... | |
NW772 by Prof C T Msimang - Whether her department has taken any steps to... | |
NW628 by Ms A M Siwisa - What (a) total amount has (i) her department... | |
NW716 by Mr Z N Mbhele - What measures and mechanisms did her... | |
NW453 by Ms L L van der Merwe - (1) With reference to the undocumented... | |
NW715 by Mr Z N Mbhele - What measures and mechanisms did her... | |
NW752 by Mr M H Hoosen - (1)Whether her department hosted any event... | |
NW655 by Mr V Zungula - Whether, in light of the Legacy Report of the... | |
NW371 by Mr J N de Villiers - What (a) number of official international... | |
NW286 by B B Nodada - What (a) total amount is budgeted for her... | |
NW128 by Dr L A Schreiber - With reference to the reply of the former... | |
NW194 by Mr H C C Krüger - What (a) number of international trips did (i)... | |
NW195 by Mr R W T Chance - What was the (a) destination, (b) purpose, (c)... | |
NW143 by Mr H B Groenewald - With reference to the reply of the Minister of... | |
NW594 by Mr R W T Chance - (1)(a) What was the cost of her trip to the... | |
NW399 by Adv T E Mulaudzi - What number of loan applications have been... | |
NW322 by Adv T E Mulaudzi - What number of loan applications were (a)... | |
NW536 by Mr S P Mhlongo - (a) What number of (i) buildings, (ii)... | |
NW715 by Ms T M Mbabama - What is the (a) make, (b) model, (c) price and... | |
NW287 by Adv T E Mulaudzi - What number of (a) tender briefings were held... | |
NW600 by Mr R W T Chance - What are the relevant details of the progress... | |
NW65 by Adv T E Mulaudzi - (1)Whether she has been informed that she has... | |
NW3402 by Mr H C C Krüger - (1)Whether her department is in the process of... | |
NW3767 by Mr R W T Chance - (a) What progress has her department made with... | |
NW3809 by Mr R W T Chance - Whether the forensic investigation into... | |
NW3289 by Adv T E Mulaudzi - Whether (a) her department and/or (b) entities... | |
NW3125 by Mr H B Groenewald - Whether, since she served in Cabinet, she... | |
NW2658 by Mr R W T Chance - (1) With reference to her reply to question... | |
NW369 by Mr M S Malatsi - a) What is the total amount that was (i)... | |
NW2207 by Dr C P Mulder - (1)Whether all members of the senior... |
Bill name | Date introduced | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
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 |
Attendance
Ranked 2 out of 90 for NAMembership
-
April, Mr HGANC
-
Jacobs, Mr FANC
-
Kwankwa, Mr NLUDM
-
Lubengo, Ms MLANC
-
Luthuli, Mr BNIFP
-
Mangcu, Mr LNANC
-
Mathulelwa, Ms BEFF
-
Mthenjane, Mr DFEFF
-
Myeni, Mr ETANC
-
Zungula, Mr VATM
Contact
Secretary of Committee:
King Kunene
Tel: 021 403 3772
Cell: 082 335 2839
Cell: 071 363 2252
Email: kkunene@parliament.gov.za
Secretary to Chairperson
Nomtha Zixesha
Te: 021 403 2615
Cell: 083 709 8518
Email: nzixesha@parliament.gov.za