People's Assembly (PA) notes that African Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe is back in the big house this year. After a six month leave of absence from Parliament, Meshoe was spotted attending the Police Portfolio Committee's first meeting of 2014, on Tuesday 28 November.
When asked why he ...
I have been visiting Parliament for six months and during that time I have certainly gained insight into the ‘goings on’ of South Africa’s political spectrum. While politics plays a key role in the parliamentary setting, it is certainly not the be all and end all when it comes to ...
Of all the parliamentary committees I have visited, the most informative has been the Portfolio Committee on Women, Children and People with Disabilities. Due to my studies in Development and Gender, attending this Committee has extended my knowledge and I have witnessed the reality of how policies can either produce ...
“When a Government collapses, the first thing to go is justice, and there is no justice in this country.”
These words were muttered by a disgruntled opposition MP during a tea break after a presentation from the South African Police Services (SAPS). The Portfolio Committee on Police had just gone ...
As an observer, one is either fortunate to attend a committee meeting where Members of Parliament are thoroughly prepared and willing to respectfully engage with one another on matters, but other meetings fail to grasp your interest from inception and the free snacks provided by Parliament may become the highlight ...
One thing that can be said about attending parliamentary committee meetings (unrelated to the discourse), is that the food served to MPs and visitors during the meetings is plentiful and delicious. Fresh filter coffee and cream, scones with whipped cream and jam, fine cheeses with crackers, croissant sandwiches with a ...
The current review of the Rules of Parliament is not only in compliance with statutory requirements but in response to pressures from the leading and minority opposition parties in Parliament. Moves made by the Democratic Alliance to pass a Motion of No Confidence on the President of the Republic last ...
On 12 September 2013, President Zuma referred the Protection of State Information Bill back to Parliament “for reconsideration insofar as sections of the Bill, in particular Sections 42 and 45, lack meaning and coherence”. The letter that the President wrote to the Speaker stated that clause 42 referenced the incorrect ...
Parliament recently acknowledged World Mental Health Day (10 October 2013) by inviting mental healthcare experts to brief the Health Portfolio Committee on mental health challenges and their suggestions on how these can be addressed.
The Department of Health gave the Committee some sobering statistics on the state of mental health ...
The Employment Tax Incentive Bill has finally been passed by Parliament after a three-year battle between the National Treasury and trade unions over the youth wage subsidy. The Bill addresses the high levels of youth unemployment in South Africa by offering a wage subsidy for young workers between the ages ...
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