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A debate on the rising costs of living, Questions for Oral Reply, Mini-Plenary Sessions and consideration of Bills and Budgetary Review and Recommendations Reports are some of the items scheduled for Week 29 of the Parliamentary programme.
 
On Tuesday at 14:00, the National Assembly (NA) hybrid plenary will consider four Bills – the Marine Oil Pollution (Preparedness, Response and Cooperation) Bill, the Divorce Amendment Bill, Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Amendment Bill, and the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill. The plenary will also consider the Report of the Chief Whips’ Forum on the Benchmarking Study Visits to Ireland (12 –14 June 2023) and Kenya (19 -21 June 2023).
 
On Wednesday at 14:00, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will convene a hybrid plenary to consider the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill. The revised draft of the Bill, which intends to give effect to South Africa’s constitutional and international obligations, in particular to address frequently occurring and sometimes violent conduct of persons who are motivated by clear and defined prejudices was introduced in April 2018. The Bill creates the offences of hate crime and hate speech and sets out measures aimed at preventing and combating these offences. This NCOP plenary is also scheduled to hold a debate on the 2023 Africa Industrialisation Day under the theme: “Renewed Commitment Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialisation and Economic Diversification Plan for South Africa”.
 
The Social Services Cluster Ministers are scheduled to appear before the NA on Wednesday at 15:00 to account in an oral question-and-answer session. The Cluster (2) comprises Ministers responsible for Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Basic Education, Human Settlement, Water and Sanitation, Health, and Social Development.
 
On Thursday, the NCOP is scheduled to consider Select Committee reports and hold a debate on the rising cost of living in South Africa and the impact this has on the quality of life in the country. The NA has scheduled its Programme Committee for Thursday morning followed by three virtual mini-plenary sessions to discuss matters of national importance and to wrap-up the week. Items penned in for discussion at the mini-plenary sessions, scheduled for Thursday at 14:00, include:
 
Mini-plenary 1: 

Draft resolution (Mr J S Malema): Removal of the Israel Embassy in South Africa and suspension of all diplomatic relations with Israel (90)

Subject for discussion (Ms P A Phetlhe): The significance of the expanded composition of the nations comprising the BRICS Bloc to advance the south-south agenda and the transformation of the international multilateral institutions (90)

 
Mini-plenary 2: 

 Subject for discussion (Mr S M Jafta): Evaluating the role played by Chapter Nine institutions in promoting constitutional democracy in post-Apartheid South Africa (90)

Subject for discussion (Ms N P Peacock): Strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies in the fight against violent crimes and to tackle illicit economic activities like illegal mining, extortion, and economic sabotage (90)

 
Mini-plenary 3: 

 Subject for discussion (Dr D T George): The desperately needed relief measures, including expanding the zero-VAT-rated food basket, that the government should take immediately to alleviate the negative impact of the inflating cost of living crisis on South African households (90)

Subject for discussion (Mr B S Yabo): Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies to conserve water and minimise the impact of natural disasters on the provision of basic services (90)

 
There are 31 committee meetings scheduled for this week, while some of the committees continue with public hearings across the country to solicit inputs and views from the public on important Bills. The Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy is conducting its public hearings on the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill in the Western Cape. Today (Sunday, 12 November) the committee is at the Hermanus Mutli-Purpose Centre and on Monday it will be at the City of Cape Town’s Johnson Ngwevela Hall in Langa. The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development has scheduled its public hearings on the Small Enterprise Amendment Bill in the North West province from 14 to 16 November.
 
 
TUESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER
 
Joint Meeting: Standing Committee on Finance and Select Committee on Finance, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [Consideration and adoption of the Committee report on the Revised Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the South African Gymnastics Federation (SAGF) on their 2022/2023 annual report and an overview of the African Artistic Gymnastics Championships that was held in Pretoria, Gauteng Province (26-27 May 2023); Consideration and adoption of draft Committee minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:45
 
Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on the readiness for the Voter Registration Weekend of the weekend of 18 and 19 November 2023; Briefing and update by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on the addressing of members’ queries, the eHomeAffairs system and the functioning of the Contact Centre; Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, (National Assembly), [Deliberations/finalisation on the SAPO Amendment Bill [B 11-2023]; Adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Department of Tourism on its 2022/23 Annual Report; Briefing by the Department of Tourism on its First and Second Quarterly reports for the 2023/24 financial year; Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, (National Assembly), [Formal consideration of the A and B Bills of the Companies A/Bs; Briefing on the E and F Bills of the Copyright and of the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bills], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Select Committee on Health and Social Services, (National Council of Provinces), [Consideration of the Negotiating Mandates on the NHI Bill [B11B-2019], sec 76 and the responses to mandates by the Department of Health; Briefing by the Department of Health on the ratification of the treaty for the establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA); Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Department of Water Affairs regarding Giyani Water infrastructure projects after the Committee oversight visit; Briefing by the Special Investigating Unit regarding investigations conducted at the Department of Water and Sanitation specifically the Giyani project], Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:00-14:00.
 
WEDNESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER
 
Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, (National Assembly), [Briefing on the petition from residents of Waterloo Green, Wynberg, in Cape Town, calling on the Assembly to investigate a request for the demolition of two derelict houses owned by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in Waterloo Green, which have become a haven for criminal activities and pose potential security risks to residents], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Police, (National Assembly), [Consideration of the A-list on the Independent Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill [B21-2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure, (National Council of Provinces),  Expropriation Bill [B 23B-2020] (sec 76)], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, (National Assembly), [Briefing on the issues raised during Oversight Visits by the following Provinces: (09:00-09:30) Eastern Cape; (09:30-10:00) North-West; (10:30-11:00) Northern Cape; (11:00-12:45) Deliberations; (12:45-13:00) Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) on progress made in the identification and repurposing of unutilized/under-utilized infrastructure for the post-school education and training (PSET) system; Consideration of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-14:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, (National Assembly), [Consideration and adoption of A list of the bills; Consideration and adoption of the Bills as amended; Committee report on the Bills (for Public Administration Management Amendment Bill [B10 -2023] and Public Service Amendment Bill [B13 -2023])], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-13:00
 
Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), [Meeting with former Brigadier Jap Burger, SAPS, concerning allegations of corrupt and fraudulent activities and other maladministration at Eskom], Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-14:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the DOD on its 2023/24 Second Quarter expenditure and performance; Consideration and adoption of outstanding minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00
 
Select Committee on Security and Justice, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Ministry and Department of Correctional Services on the Public Submissions to the Correctional Services Amendment Bill [B14-2023]; Briefing by the Ministry and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the Divorce Amendment Bill Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00
 
THURSDAY, 16 NOVEMBER
 
Select Committee on Appropriations, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by National Treasury on the 2023 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill, 2023 Adjustments Appropriation Bill and Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 17:00-19:00
 
Joint Standing Committee on Defence, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Regular Force Medical Continuation Fund; Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 18:00-21:00
 
FRIDAY, 17 NOVEMBER
 
Standing Committee on Finance, (National Assembly), [Response by National Treasury to the submissions received on the Public Procurement Bill [B18 – 2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 -12:00
 
Joint Meeting: Standing Committee on Appropriations and Select Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [Consultation with South African Local Government Association and Financial and Fiscal Commission on 2023 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill; and Public Hearings on 2023 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on the findings and recommendations of the South African National Survey on Health, Life Experiences, and Family Relations aka the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) study and how it will inform the National GBV strategy and plans], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, (National Assembly), [Briefing by Boxing South Africa (BSA) and the South African National Boxing Organisation (SANABO) on their Annual Reports and other pertinent matters], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Issued by Parliament of South Africa