A busy week ahead in Parliament

Parliament is expected to be abuzz with activity this week as the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) draws closer and Budget Vote Speeches and Parliamentary Committee meetings continue. President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the OPA on Thursday during a joint sitting of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). 'According to the new Joint Rules of Parliament, the OPA is now distinct from the State of the Nation Address (SONA). The SONA is held annually in February to outline the government's plans and priorities for the year and report on the state of the nation. 'The OPA, on the other hand, occurs once every five years, after elections, to announce the new administration's plans and to mark the beginning of the new five-year parliamentary term. 'The OPA coincides with Nelson Mandela International Day - an annual global celebration on 18 July to honour the life and legacy of former President Nelson Mandela by emulating his exemplary and selfless service to humanity,' Parlia ment said in a statement. Following that address, the two Houses are expected to hold a joint sitting on Friday to debate the OPA. However, preceding both the address and subsequent debate will be a media briefing by Parliament's Presiding Officers, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane. Parliament's other business According to the statement, tomorrow (Tuesday) the NCOP's programming committee will meet to 'consider the draft parliamentary programme, reports and bills before the House'. That meeting will commence at 9.15am. 'Meanwhile, the NCOP will have plenary sittings on Tuesday and Wednesday for four policy debates on Budget Votes and to consider legislation before the House, motions and various committee reports. 'The hybrid plenary on Tuesday will hold debates on Budget Vote 3 (Cooperative Governance) and Budget Vote 41 (Water and Sanitation). On Wednesday, the House will have policy debates on B udget Vote 5 (Home Affairs) and Budget Vote 18 (Health),' the statement said. Parliamentary committees are also expected to meet this week. 'With the parliamentary committee structures now established and chairpersons elected, the committees of the two Houses have scheduled 13 committee meetings for this week. These committees will get briefings from ministers and consider and adopt the draft reports on the Budget Votes. 'The Standing Committee on Appropriations will have virtual public hearings on the Appropriations Bill on Friday,' the statement concluded. The list of committee meetings are available at www.parliament.gov.za. Source: South African Government News Agency