Deputy President David Mabuza will be back in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday for an oral question and answer session.
Holding regular question and answer sessions is one way in which Parliament holds the executive to account. Questions for oral reply to the Deputy President are scheduled at least once a quarter during session time within Parliament’s annual programme.
Up to six questions about matters of national or international importance may be asked during the three-hour session. The three hours allotted cover the main questions and associated supplementary questions.
Mabuza chairs the South African National Aids Council (SANAC), the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform, amongst other responsibilities assigned to him by President Ramaphosa.
The Deputy President is also a patron of the Moral Regeneration Movement and also leads government efforts in fostering social cohesion.
The six questions scheduled for tomorrow’s session include whether the national Industrial Policy Framework and Human Resource Development Strategy for South Africa are yielding any benefits in assisting government to address the plight of previously marginalised communities in townships.
He will also answer whether government has considered the manner in which the land question continues to affect social cohesion and whether government has developed any short-term interventions to mitigate the effects of the increase in petrol prices and value added tax (VAT), especially in light of the persisting high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
Mabuza will also provide an update to Members of Parliament on the implementation of the Human Resource Development Strategy aimed at developing the requisite skills necessary to enhance economic growth.
He will also outline progress achieved by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform, which provides political oversight and oversees the implementation of Cabinet decisions on land reform.
The Deputy President will further brief the NCOP on progress achieved since the recent launch of the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative by President Ramaphosa.
The SAFE initiative is a partnership between government, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the National Education Collaboration Trust with the aim to deliver proper sanitation in schools.
The Presidency said, meanwhile, that government is concerned over the direct impact the recent fuel price increases have had on the lives of South Africans.
“In this regard, the Deputy President will brief the honourable members on government interventions to alleviate the impact of escalating fuel prices, which results in the rising cost of living.”
The NCOP is the legislative body and House of Parliament that ensures that the nine provinces and local government have a direct voice in Parliament when laws are made. – SAnews.gov.za
