Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
National Assembly Committee
About this committee
The Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Portfolio Committee is responsible for oversight of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) as well as the following statutory entities:
Commission for Gender Equality (CGE)
National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)
The Committee is mandated to:
- consider, amend and/or initiate legislation that is specific to, or impacts on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.
- 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 women, youth and persons with disabilities.
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.
NW440 by Ms MD Hlengwa - What monitoring steps will be taken by her... | |
NW518 by Ms NK Sharif - With reference to the worrying and... | |
NW517 by Mr M Bagraim - (1) What are the relevant details of the steps... | |
NW514 by Mrs G Opperman - (1) Whether her Office monitors the... | |
NW614 by Mr TR Majola - With reference to her reply to question 100 on... | |
NW724 by Mr M Chetty - Whether she will furnish Mr M Chetty with a... | |
NW511 by Ms TZ Makata - What initiatives has her Office launched that... | |
NW503 by Ms NP Sonti - Whether, considering the growing number of... | |
NW504 by Ms NP Sonti - Considering that during the period 1 October... | |
NW3838 by Ms NP Sonti - What (a) are the full, relevant details of the... | |
NW1394 by Ms ERJ Speis - Whether, with reference to the reply to... | |
NW1448 by Ms NP Sonti - What monitoring interventions has her Office... | |
NW3839 by Mr M Bagraim - What plans has her Office put in place to... | |
NW3528 by Mr V Pambo - (1) What urgent steps of intervention has she... | |
NW4038 by Ms MD Hlengwa - Whether her Office has the relevant details of... | |
NW3228 by Ms NK Shariff - In view of the fact that the coordination of... | |
NW1395 by Ms ERJ Speis - Whether, with reference to the reply to... | |
NW1713 by Mrs W R Alexander - Whether she will furnish Mrs W R Alexander... | |
NW3227 by Ms NK Sharif - Given that the SA Police Service (SAPS)... | |
NW728 by Mr M Bagraim - Whether, with reference to the recent increase... | |
NW730 by Ms NK Sharif - What (a) are the relevant details of how the... | |
NW2783 by Ms NK Sharif - Considering that youth and persons with... | |
NW1395 by Ms ERJ Speis - Whether, with reference to the reply to... | |
NW3846 by Ms NK Sharif - In light of the Disability Rights Awareness... | |
NW3861 by Ms FA Masiko - What (a) measures has her Office, in... | |
NW3863 by Mr BN Herron - Given the seriousness of the case about the... | |
NW3955 by Mr MS Bond - Whether (a) she, (b) the Deputy Minister and... | |
NW1393 by Ms ERJ Spies - (1) Whether, with reference to the reply to... | |
NW1394 by Ms ERJ Spies - Whether, with reference to the reply to... | |
NW2973 by Mrs KNF Hlonyana - What monitoring steps of intervention has her... | |
NW3733 by Ms NP Sonti - What are the reasons that the formation of the... | |
NW3844 by Mr MS Bond - What are the reasons that the Commission for... | |
NW3845 by Mr MS Bond - How has the Commission for Gender Equality’s... | |
NW210 by Ms TM Mbabama - (1)What are the details of the (a) destination... | |
NW2796 by Mr K B Pillay - What (a) measures are being undertaken to... | |
NW2784 by Ms S J Graham - Whether, with reference to the identification... | |
NW2797 by Mr Q R Dyantyi (ANC) to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: [487] - (a) What are the details of the plans that... | |
NW2798 by Ms C M Phiri - Considering her role and/or mandate as... | |
NW961 by Ms M D Hlengwa - Whether, considering that the report on How to... | |
NW307 by Ms M D Hlengwa - Given that 21 young persons died at the... | |
NW129 by Ms M D Hlengwa - Whether, in light of the fact that 21 youths... | |
NW2789 by Ms M S Khawula - In light of the crime statistics that was... | |
NW2788 by Ms N P Sonti - Whether her Office has a comprehensive... | |
NW2794 by Ms F A Masiko - What steps has her Office taken to unlock... | |
NW2775 by Ms M D Hlengwa - In light of the annual performance plan and... | |
NW2787 by Ms N P Sonti - What are the details of the comprehensive... | |
NW2803 by Mr A M Shaik Emam - Whether, following failed attempts by the... | |
NW2795 by Ms A S Hlongo - In light of the fact that structural youth... | |
NW1598 by Ms P Madokwe - What (a) is the position of her Office on the... | |
NW1471 by Mrs L F Tito - In light of the high unemployment and poverty... |
Bill name | Date introduced | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill | 29 Nov 2022 | B31-2022 | The bill has been signed into law. |
National Youth Development Agency Amendment Bill | 09 Jun 2022 | B13-2022 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Traditional Courts Bill | 30 Jan 2017 | B1-2017 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill | 06 Nov 2013 | B50-2013 | Withdrawn |
Commission on Gender Equality Amendment Bill | 30 Oct 2012 | B36-2012 | Act commenced |
Traditional Courts Bill | 25 Jan 2012 | B1-2012 | Lapsed |
Prevention And Combating Of Trafficking In Persons Bill | 15 Mar 2010 | B7-2010 | Act commenced |
Attendance
Ranked 4 out of 36 for NAMembership
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Adams, Ms R CANC
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Khawula, Ms MSEFF
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Letlape, Dr TKSAction SA
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Mchunu, Ms GMK
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Shabangu, Ms FLANC
Contact
Secretary of Committee
Neliswa Nobatana
Tel: 021 403 3840
Cell: 083709 8472
Email: [email protected]
Chairperson’s Secretary
Yolanda Sili
Cell: 083 709 8500
Email: [email protected]