By OBAKENG MAJE
14 March 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation has been briefed on public comments from the submissions received on the National State Enterprises Bill [B1-2024]. The committee stressed the importance of grounding the legislation in clearly defined policy frameworks and aligning the proposed regulatory system for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) with well-researched international best practices from countries facing similar challenges to those in South Africa.
The committee agreed on a comprehensive programme of engagement with stakeholders, which include
National Treasury, the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Unit (Presidency) and with NEDLAC. The committee will use its oversight week visit programme to visit key SOEs, including South African Airways, Eskom, Denel, Transnet and the South African Post Office.
The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Teliswa Mngweba said the committee will use its planned oversight visit to SOEs from 24-28 March 2025, to gain a clearer understanding of the challenges these entities experience to ensure that the National State Enterprises Bill is realistic and creates the envisaged practical operational standards. Mngweba said, moreover, the committee will explore the feasibility of an international study tour to analyse best practices in SOE regulation in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, China and Denmark, coordinating with the Office of the House Chairperson regarding this initiative.
“The committee will consider holding public hearings on the National State Enterprises Bill across all nine provinces and seek guidance on appropriate scheduling,” she said.
The Guardian 