Deputy President Paul Mashatile Engages with National Council of Provinces

Deputy President Paul Mashatile participated in a National Council of Provinces (NCOP) plenary sitting, addressing important national and international issues, such as enhancing the distribution of social grants and revitalizing infrastructure in the agricultural sector to improve food security. The NCOP event is one of the ways Parliament holds the Executive accountable for their performance. The National Assembly also held a hybrid plenary session, reviewing committee reports, and the media and public can access these meetings through various channels.

What issues did Deputy President Paul Mashatile address during the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) plenary sitting?

Deputy President Paul Mashatile addressed various national and international public importance issues during the NCOP plenary sitting, including the government’s strategy for enhancing the state’s ability to distribute social grants while avoiding future disruptions in payments, and revitalizing infrastructure in the agricultural sector to improve food security. He also covered other government service delivery-related matters.

Deputy President’s Participation in NCOP Plenary Sitting

Deputy President Paul Mashatile took part in a hybrid plenary sitting of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on October 26th, where he answered Questions for Oral Reply. The event is one of the ways Parliament uses to ensure the Executive is held accountable for their individual and collective performance of functions, in accordance with section 92(2) of the Constitution.

Mashatile addressed a range of issues raised by the NCOP’s permanent delegates, covering various topics of national and international public importance and other government service delivery-related matters. The Deputy President’s responses touched on several aspects of governance.

A notable issue Mashatile discussed was the government’s strategy for enhancing the state’s ability to distribute social grants while avoiding future disruptions in payments, like those seen recently. He also mentioned the importance of revitalizing infrastructure in the agricultural sector to boost production and improve food security. The complete list of questions is available here.

National Assembly Hybrid Plenary Session and Committee Reports

Besides the NCOP plenary sitting, the National Assembly (NA) conducted a hybrid plenary session on the same day. The agenda consisted of reviewing various committee reports, such as the Portfolio Committee (PC) on Mineral Resources and Energy’s report on the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill [B 13 – 2021], the PC on Basic Education’s report on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill [B 2 – 2022], and the PC on Transport’s request for approval of the Luxembourg Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters Specific to Railway Rolling Stock.

Before the plenary sessions, the NA and NCOP held their respective Programming Committee meetings at 8:30 am. The agenda for these meetings included consideration of bills before the respective houses, committee reports, and discussions on the draft parliamentary program.

Media Access to Parliamentary Meetings and Contact Information

Media representatives who wished to attend the NA and NCOP hybrid plenary sessions in person were required to provide their details (full name, name of the media house, and ID or passport number) to Manelisi Ntsodo at mntsodo@parliament.gov.za(link sends e-mail) no later than 11 am on Thursday, October 26th. Journalists interested in covering the meetings (including receiving links to virtual meetings) were asked to send their cellphone numbers to Mlindi Mpindi at mmpindi@parliament.gov.za(link sends e-mail) for inclusion in the Parliamentary Communication Services WhatsApp Group, where relevant information is shared.

Parliamentary meetings are open to the media and the public, and anyone interested can follow committee sittings live on Parliament TV (DSTV Channel 408), via live stream on the Parliament YouTube channel, and the Twitter page on the links below. To receive instant notifications of live feeds, individuals can subscribe to the Parliament YouTube channel.

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParliamentofRSA(link is external)
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/ParliamentofRSA(link is external)
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ParliamentofRSA(link is external)

For any inquiries, contact Moloto Mothapo at 082 370 6930.

What is the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) plenary sitting, and what is its purpose?

The NCOP plenary sitting is a meeting where permanent delegates discuss issues of national and international importance and hold the Executive accountable for their performance. The purpose of the NCOP plenary sitting is to ensure that the Executive is held accountable for their individual and collective performance of functions, in accordance with section 92(2) of the Constitution.

What is the National Assembly (NA) hybrid plenary session, and what is its agenda?

The NA hybrid plenary session is a meeting where Members of Parliament review various committee reports, such as the Portfolio Committee (PC) on Mineral Resources and Energy’s report on the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill [B 13 – 2021], the PC on Basic Education’s report on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill [B 2 – 2022], and the PC on Transport’s request for approval of the Luxembourg Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters Specific to Railway Rolling Stock.

What kind of issues did Deputy President Paul Mashatile address during the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) plenary sitting?

Deputy President Paul Mashatile addressed various national and international public importance issues during the NCOP plenary sitting, including the government’s strategy for enhancing the state’s ability to distribute social grants while avoiding future disruptions in payments and revitalizing infrastructure in the agricultural sector to improve food security. He also covered other government service delivery-related matters.

How can the public and media access parliamentary meetings?

Parliamentary meetings are open to the media and the public, and anyone interested can follow committee sittings live on Parliament TV (DSTV Channel 408), via live stream on the Parliament YouTube channel, and the Twitter page on the links provided. To receive instant notifications of live feeds, individuals can subscribe to the Parliament YouTube channel. Journalists interested in covering the meetings (including receiving links to virtual meetings) were asked to send their cellphone numbers to Mlindi Mpindi at mmpindi@parliament.gov.za for inclusion in the Parliamentary Communication Services WhatsApp Group, where relevant information is shared.

What is the process for media representatives to attend parliamentary meetings in person?

Media representatives who wish to attend the NA and NCOP hybrid plenary sessions in person are required to provide their details (full name, name of the media house, and ID or passport number) to Manelisi Ntsodo at mntsodo@parliament.gov.za no later than 11 am on the day of the meeting.

Are parliamentary meetings only accessible to the media and public through live streams and social media?

Parliamentary meetings are accessible to the media and public through live streams, social media, and in-person attendance. Anyone interested in attending in person must follow the registration process outlined above.

What is the Programming Committee, and what is its agenda?

The Programming Committee is a meeting held by the NA and NCOP before plenary sessions. The agenda for these meetings includes consideration of bills before the respective houses, committee reports, and discussions on the draft parliamentary program.

Who can be contacted for inquiries about parliamentary meetings?

For any inquiries, individuals can contact Moloto Mothapo at 082 370 6930.