By REGINALD KANYANE
31 August 2025 – The Members of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces will return from the constituency period this week to a full programme of committee work. There are 52 committee meetings scheduled, with key items on the agenda including strategic planning sessions, a colloquium on readiness for the G20 Summit and oversight of the work of the executive and its entities.
The National Parliament (NA) spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said on Tuesday, the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation will host a colloquium to discuss South Africa’s readiness for the G20 Summit. Mothapo said the colloquium will be held in partnership with the Southern African Liaison Office (SALO).
He further said SALO is a non-profit organisation that conducts in-depth research, particularly on matters related to African crises and conflicts. Mothapo added that the colloquium also aims to establish stakeholder expectations regarding South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
“A diverse range of stakeholders from all nine provinces will attend, including civil society, faith-based organisations, youth, women, LGBTQIA+ organisations, organised labour, the private sector, and academia.
“The aim is to ensure inclusivity and that no one is left behind in the processes leading up to the G20 Summit. Meanwhile, other committees will this week hold individual planning sessions to ensure alignment of their programmes with constitutional oversight functions, guided by the five key strategic outcomes of the 7th Parliament,” he said.
Mothapo said the strategic outcomes are strengthened oversight and executive accountability; improved, timely, and effective law-making; enhanced public participation with emphasis on rural and marginalised communities, increased member capacity and institutional performance, and internal performance optimisation through administrative reform.
He said the 52 committee meetings, scheduled for this week, include the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education to receive a briefing by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on Curriculum: Capacity building of educators to strengthen performance in mathematics from grade 1 to 7; updated progress report on implementation of the General Education Certificate (GEC) in preparing youth beyond grade 9.
“Briefing by the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on its Report on Paper and in Action: Assessing State Compliance with CEDAW (2020 – 2025). Committee Room 1, Ground Floor, 90 Plein Street, 09:30 – 12:30
“Portfolio Committee on Higher Education: To embark on a Strategic Planning Workshop of the committee with the committee Stakeholders composed of PSET Institutions, DHET and the Ministry. Venue: Saldanha Bay Hotel,” said Mothapo.
He said the Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation: To hold a Strategic Planning Session. Venue: Committee Room 4031, 4th Floor, 90 Plein Street, 10:00 – 12:00. Mothapo said the Portfolio Committee on Transport Committee to embark on a Strategic Planning Session at Committee Room S12A, NCOP Building, Parliament. 08:45 – 17:00.
“Portfolio Committee on Tourism: To be briefed by the Minister of Tourism on the following: Reasons for the resignation of the Chairperson of the South African Tourism board; reasons for the Minister’s decision to dissolve the South African Tourism Board; appointment of the new South African Tourism Board.
“This includes the update on circumstances surrounding the suspension of the Chief Executive Officer; recommendations and implementation of the forensic investigation report; briefing by the dissolved board of South African Tourism on the governance challenges at South African Tourism. Good Hope Chamber. 10:00,” he said.
Mothapo said the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition Committee will hold a Strategic Planning Session. Venue: Virtual Meeting Platform. 09:30 – 15:00. He said the Standing Committee on Finance: Five-year Strategic and Annual Performance Plan for the financial year 2025/26 (Committee Plan). Committee Room 1, Ground Floor, 120 Plein Street. 10:00 – 16:00.
The Guardian 