Infographic: The Economic Development Department on SA’s growth and unemployment

Earlier this week, the Department of Economic Development (EDD) briefed the Select Committee on Economic and Business Development on progress made on the implementation of the New Growth Path (NGP), which according to the EDD, was “developed to address the legacy of inequality with regard to access to resources, skills, ...

Infographic: The state of higher education, 1994 to the present

Recently, the Department of Higher Education and Training briefed the Higher Education Portfolio Committee on its Annual Performance Plan for 2014/15. The report looked at the state of tertiary education with particular focus on the improvement of access to higher education institutions, and the increase in the budget allocation.

In ...

Infographic: The 2015 Budget Cycle - Key Dates

Before the Finance Minister gives his annual budget speech in Parliament, the budget goes through a mind-boggling process of estimations, drafting, redrafting, and negotiations throughout the year. It is discussed at length in meetings between committees, departments, and entities, all with the aim of making the most efficient use of ...

Infographic: The 2015 Budget Cycle - Key Dates

Before the Finance Minister gives his annual budget speech in Parliament, the budget goes through a mind-boggling process of estimations, drafting, redrafting, and negotiations throughout the year. It is discussed at length in meetings between committees, departments, and entities, all with the aim of making the most efficient use of ...

Infographic: 31% of South Africans accessing social assistance grants

Yesterday, 22 July 2014, the Department of Social Development briefed the Select Committee on Social Services on its Annual Performance Plan and budget for 2014/15. With the focus on social assistance, it emerged that almost a third of South Africans rely on some kind of social assistance. Furthermore, in the ...

Community essential to police work, says Minister

In his Police Budget Vote address in Parliament on Monday, Minister of Police Nkosinathi Nhleko, said that policing cannot exist without community support and participation, and that policing needs to continue to be subjected to public scrutiny to keep them accountable.

“The NDP [National Development Plan] envisions a state with ...

Committee passes Financial Management of Parliament Bill amid DA’s concerns

Last week the Standing Committee on Finance adopted the Financial Management of Parliament Bill. The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) had passed an amendment to the Bill, which was referred back to the NA, but the bill had lapsed with the ending of the fourth Parliament but was revived in ...

What’s happening in Parliament this week?

MPs will be relieved that the grueling budget vote schedule will conclude this week. This process usually takes 2-3 months but was compressed into 4 weeks because of the elections. It started with the training of MPs on the processing of the budget votes and was followed by portfolio committees ...

Local Government getting back to basics, says Minister

In his Budget Vote address yesterday, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Pravin Gordhan, told MPs “the test of change is when citizens themselves attest that they have a decent living environment, they enjoy safety for themselves and their children, they can easily access educational and health facilities, they are ...

“We only received a double bed and a fridge” - MP scolds department

The Select Committee on Economic and Business Development held its first meeting with Public Works, with the Minister and Deputy Minister present on Tuesday, 15 July 2014. However, as the Committee progressed into discussion following the Department’s presentation, I was struck – not by the Minister’s announcement that the Department ...

About Impressions

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About The Week in Parliament

That Week In Parliament

Recent happenings in Parliament