Parliament Wraps Up Second Term as MPs Prepare for Community Engagement

South Africa’s seventh Parliament is concluding its second term programme this week with a packed schedule of plenary sittings, committee engagements, and international representation, ahead of the constituency period that will run from July 28 to September 1. This period is a crucial time for Members of Parliament (MPs) to step away from the legislature and directly interact with communities across the country through their constituency offices.

According to an official statement issued by Parliament, the constituency period is vital for strengthening democracy, as it facilitates direct accountability and ensures that MPs remain connected to the realities and concerns of the citizens they represent.

“This period is essential as it facilitates meaningful interaction between elected representatives and the public they serve,” Parliament said.

A Rotational Parliamentary Model for Greater Impact

The seventh Parliament has adopted a rotational structure for its legislative programme. This model organises its work into three distinct streams:

• Committee oversight work

• Constituency outreach

• Plenary sittings

This approach, Parliament says, allows members to focus fully on each core function in turn, improving the quality of legislation, oversight, and public engagement.

Busy Week in the National Assembly: Key Debates and Bills

The National Assembly (NA) will use this final week to tackle a number of significant motions and legislative items.

Tuesday’s Plenary:

1. Motion to Revive Investigation into Statutory Rape The NA will deliberate on a motion aimed at resuming an investigation into statutory rape, a critical issue related to the protection of minors and enforcement of criminal justice.

2. Motion on Board Representation A second motion addresses the replacement of representatives on the Board of Trustees for the Political Office Bearers Pension Fund, reflecting the continued renewal of governance structures within Parliament’s oversight institutions.

3. Bills Under Consideration Four Bills will be tabled for debate, including:

   • Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill – Adjustments to the financial support framework for the embattled energy utility.

   • Revenue Laws Amendment Bill – Aimed at refining tax policies and revenue collection systems.

   • National Gambling Amendment Bill – Updates to gambling regulations to strengthen oversight and prevent unlawful activity.

   • Unspecified fourth bill – Details to be made available during the sitting.

Wednesday’s Plenary:

The NA will conclude its second term with a focus on the Appropriation Bill for the 2025/26 financial year. This Bill outlines the distribution of funds from the National Revenue Fund to:

• National departments

• Public entities

• Provinces and municipalities

Funding mechanisms include equitable share allocations, conditional grants, and other transfers to support the fulfilment of service delivery mandates and constitutional obligations.

NCOP in Session: Budget Debates and Select Committee Reports

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will hold a plenary session on Thursday, focusing on:

• Consideration of select committee reports

• Debate on the Budget Vote of the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition

This debate will likely touch on economic recovery strategies, trade expansion, and industrial policy alignment with national growth plans.

26 Parliamentary Committees Active This Week

In addition to plenary business, Parliament will also convene 26 committee meetings, ensuring continued oversight on critical issues such as:

• Health service delivery

• Public enterprise performance

• Infrastructure rollout

• Education quality

• State security and justice

Committees are the engine rooms of parliamentary scrutiny, and this high number of meetings highlights the legislature's commitment to closing the second term with substantial oversight output.

South Africa Leads at the Pan-African Parliament

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the NCOP, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, is leading a five-member South African delegation to the Fifth Ordinary Session of the Sixth Pan-African Parliament (PAP), being hosted in Midrand, Johannesburg, from July 21 to 31.

The PAP session is convened under the African Union’s 2025 theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”

Key agenda items include:

• The state of peace, governance, and security on the continent

• The financing and reform of the African Union

• Reports from the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)

South Africa’s delegation includes:

• Mdumiseni Ntuli

• Mergan Chetty

• Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla

• Vuyani Pambo

The PAP, a legislative body of the African Union (AU), was established under the Abuja Treaty to give a voice to African citizens in continental governance and to advance pan-African legislative harmonisation.

Looking Ahead: From Lawmaking to Community Listening

As MPs prepare to return to their constituencies, the upcoming period marks an opportunity for them to:

• Report back on their work in Parliament

• Engage with local issues and feedback

• Build stronger community ties

With Parliament’s work concluding on a high note, and international diplomacy taking centre stage at PAP, the focus now shifts to the local engagements that ensure Parliament remains rooted in the democratic mandate of the people.