Social Development
National Assembly Committee
About this committee
Oversight responsibility of Social Development Portfolio Committee
The Social Development Portfolio Committee is responsible for oversight of the Department of Social Development (DSD) as well as the following statutory entities:
Central Drug Authority (CDA)
National Development Agency (NDA)
South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
The Committee is mandated to:
- consider, amend and/or initiate legislation that is specific to, or impacts on Social Development.
- consider and review the strategic plans and budgets of the Department and its entities.
- monitor and oversee the activities, financial and non-financial performance of the Ministry and its entities.
- monitor and oversee the implementation of the Department’s policies and legislation
- consider sector-related international treaties and agreements; and
- provide a platform for the public to participate and present views on specific topics and/or legislation in relation to the social development sector.
Learn more about the work of this Committee: Legacy Reports
The role and functions of Committees in 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.
There is a portfolio committee for each corresponding government department. A committee deliberates on bills covering the department’s area of jurisdiction and scrutinises 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.
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
NA Committee are comprised of 11 Members. The composition is as follows: ANC (5); DA (3); MK (2); EFF (1) & other parties (4). The four largest parties were given permanent positions, and the 14 other parties are grouped together to share the remaining slots.
Read more: Committees in the Seventh Parliament: Critical Forums for Oversight
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
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 its 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 several joint committees. There are currently six Joint Committees:
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.
RNW2190 by Mrs L F Tito - Whether she has been informed that the offices... | |
RNW1648 by Ms A L A Abrahams - What total number of social work professionals... | |
NW2450 by Ms A L A Abrahams - In relation to the R1,4 million that was paid... | |
NW2350 by Ms B S Masango - Whether social workers are classified as... | |
RNW1365 by Ms B E Machi - (1) (a) What progress has been made in... | |
RNW1415 by Ms A L A Abrahams - (1) With reference to the Gender-Based... | |
RNW1837 by Ms B E Machi - In light of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis... | |
NW2246 by Ms N M Gasa - (1) Given that the transition process from... | |
NW2279 by Ms B E Machi - How will her department address (a) delays and... | |
NW2340 by Ms A L A Abrahams - What total amount has been paid for... | |
NW2080 by Ms D E James - (1) Considering that the administrative unit... | |
NW2074 by Ms N Tafeni - (1) With reference to the incident of the... | |
NW1957 by Ms M C Mafagane - What total number of shelters for victims of... | |
NW2410 by Ms D E James - (1) What is the (a) number and (b) nature of... | |
NW2449 by Ms A L A Abrahams - (1) What are the full details of all the... | |
NW1590 by Ms B E Machi - Whether, considering that a greater part of... | |
NW1794 by Mr K S Ramaila - How is her department, through the National... | |
NW1793 by Ms K C Tlhong - Given the challenges in the Gender-Based... | |
NW1806 by Ms B S Masango - What (a) are the full details of what her... | |
NW1819 by Ms A L A Abrahams - What system improvements has she recommended... | |
NW1820 by Ms A L A Abrahams - What is the policy position of Government... | |
NW1830 by Ms P Marais - Considering the expose of corruption at the SA... | |
NW1831 by Ms P Marais - Considering the prevalence of drug use amongst... | |
NW972 by Mr M A Maimane - What is the (a) total number of staff employed... | |
NW1792 by Mr T B Munyai - What (a) percentage of the SA Social Security... | |
NW1114 by Mr T K S Letlape - Whether she has identified any challenges... | |
NW1587 by Mr K P Sithole - (1) How does she and/or her department intend... | |
NW1712 by Ms D E James - (1) Whether she and/or her department were... | |
NW1566 by Ms A L A Abrahams - Broken down by (a) race and (b) age category... | |
NW1567 by Ms A L A Abrahams - Broken down in terms of (a) race and (b) age... | |
NW1416 by Ms A L A Abrahams - Whether, in relation to the Government’s wide... | |
NW1257 by Ms B E Machi - (1) Given the alarming rise in extortion and... | |
NO523 by Mr L W Mahlatsi - Given the recent delays in SA Social Security... | |
NO583 by Ms B S Masango - (1) What total number (a) of (i) social... | |
NO582 by Ms B S Masango - (1) What is the total number of (a) social... | |
NO524 by Ms B S Masango - With reference to the significant challenges... | |
RCW246 by Ms L H Arries - (1) (a) Why disciplinary hearings have not... | |
RCW351 by Mr N Gotsell - Whether her department acknowledges the severe... | |
RCW345 by Ms L H Arries - (a) Why have the 13 suspended officials of the... | |
NW1017 by Mr M B Blose - What (a) are the relevant details regarding... | |
NW927 by Ms A L A Abrahams - (1) Whether she has been informed about the... | |
NW1168 by Mr E Mthethwa - Whether, following the directive of the... | |
NW1230 by Mr L C Jacobs - Whether the Joshlin Smith Foundation is a... | |
NW1201 by Ms B S Masango - Whether, with reference to the indication by... | |
NW1043 by Ms A L A Abrahams - With reference to the 2023-24 financial year,... | |
NW928 by Ms A L A Abrahams - Whether she has been informed about the widely... | |
NW729 by Ms L L van der Merwe - (1) What are the names of the (a)... | |
NW591 by Ms A L A Abrahams - (a) What total number of baby savers are in... | |
NW968 by Mr K B Madlala - Considering that the registration of... | |
NW738 by Ms B S Masango - (1) What was the (a)(i) purpose and (ii)... |
Bill name | Date introduced | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Children's Amendment Bill | 13 Jul 2023 | B19-2023 | Rejected |
Older Persons Amendment Bill | 03 May 2022 | B11-2022 | Under consideration by the National Assembly. |
Fundraising Amendment Bill | 30 Oct 2020 | B29-2020 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Children's Amendment Bill | 26 Aug 2020 | B18-2020 | Act partially commenced |
Social Assistance Amendment Bill | 13 Apr 2018 | B8-2018 | Act commenced |
Children's Amendment Bill | 20 May 2015 | B13-2015 | Act commenced |
Children's Second Amendment Bill | 20 May 2015 | B14-2015 | Act commenced |
Children’s Amendment Bill - Mr M Waters (DA) | 18 Feb 2015 | PMB2-2015 | Rejected |
Children’s Amendment Bill – Mr M Waters (DA) | 12 Mar 2013 | PMB1-2013 | Withdrawn |
Social Assistance Amendment Bill | 02 Mar 2010 | B5-2010 | Act commenced |
Social Assistance Amendment Bill | 23 Apr 2008 | B17-2008 | Act commenced |
Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Bill | 14 Mar 2008 | B12-2008 | Act commenced |
Children’s Amendment Bill | 23 May 2006 | B19-2006 | Act commenced |
Attendance
Ranked 19 out of 67 for NAMembership
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Frenchman, Ms SNCC
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James, Ms DEAction SA
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Kwankwa, Mr NLUDM
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Makgato, Ms MPANC
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Marais, Ms PEFF
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Munyai, Mr TBANC
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Ramaila, Mr KSANC
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Tafeni, Ms NEFF
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Tlhong, Ms KCANC
Contact
Secretary of Committee:
Lindiwe Ntsabo
Tel: 021 403 8230
Cell: 083 709 8524
Email: [email protected]
Chairperson’s Secretary
Thandeka Marubelele
Tel: 021 403 3225
Cell: 061 438 5850
Email:[email protected]