Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
National Assembly Committee
About this committee
Oversight responsibility of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Portfolio Committee
The Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Portfolio Committee is responsible for oversight of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) as well as the following statutory entities:
Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)
Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB)
Onderstepoort Biological Products Limited (OBP)
Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB)
Registration of deeds trading account
Agricultural land holdings account
Office of the valuer-general
Committees conduct their business on behalf of the House and report back on matters referred to them.
Learn more about the work of this Committee: Legacy Reports
The role and functions of Committees in Parliament (provided by Parliament)
In accordance with the powers given to it by the Constitution, the National Assembly establishes a range of committees with assigned powers and functions. The committees are required to report regularly on their activities and to make recommendations to the House for debate and decision. A large part of the Assembly’s role in the law‑making process happens in committees and much of its oversight over the executive is also done through committees, particularly the portfolio committees.
There is a portfolio committee for each corresponding government department. The composition of the committees reflects, as far as is practicable, the numerical strengths of the parties represented in the Assembly. That committee will deliberate on bills covering that department’s area of jurisdiction and scrutinise and report on its annual budget and strategic plan. As the people’s representatives, members of the committees determine whether government departments are delivering on what they promised and whether they are spending the public money they receive in a responsible manner. As part of their oversight work, committees may also do site visits where they find out directly from the people at ground level whether the government is delivering on its promises.
If a committee reports on a matter and makes certain recommendations, that report will be debated in a full sitting or plenary to give other members of the House an opportunity to engage with the content of the report. Once the report has been debated, the House decides whether to adopt the committee’s recommendations. The House may also decide only to note the report or it may refer the report back to the committee with an instruction to do further work
Broadly speaking, the mandates of Committees are to consider and process legislation referred to it; exercise oversight over the Department and entities reporting to it; consider international agreements referred to it; consider the budget vote of the Department and its entities; facilitate public participation in its processes; and to consider all other matters referred to it in terms of legislation and the Rules of Parliament
Working in Committees allows Parliament to:
-Increase the amount of work that can be done
-Ensure that issues can be debated in more detail than in plenary sessions
-Increase the level of participation of Members of Parliament (MPs) in discussions
-Enable MPs to develop expertise and in-depth knowledge of the specific Committee's area of work
-Provide a platform for the public to present views directly to MPs, something which is not possible in a plenary sitting of Parliament
-Provide an environment for Parliament to hear evidence and collect information related to the work of a specific Committee
Powers
Rule 167 of the National Assembly Rules (9th Edition) say that for the purposes of performing its functions committee may, subject to the Constitution, legislation, the other provisions of these rules and resolutions of the Assembly –
-Summon any person to appear before it to give evidence on oath or affirmation, or to produce documents
-Receive petitions, representations or submissions from interested persons or institutions
-Permit oral evidence on petitions, representations, submissions and any other matter before the committee
-Conduct public hearings
-Consult any Assembly or Council committee or subcommittee, or any joint committee or subcommittee
-Determine its own working arrangements
-Meet at a venue determined by it, which may be a venue beyond the seat of Parliament
-Meet on any and at any time, including –
- On a day which is not a working day
- On a day on which the Assembly is not sitting
- At a time when the Assembly is not sitting, or
- During a recess
-Exercise any other powers assigned to it by the Constitution, legislation, the other provisions of these rules or resolutions of the Assembly
Committee Membership
Committee membership is distributed among the parties roughly in proportion to the seats they get in Parliament, so if a party wins 20% of the seats, its MPs will occupy about 20% of committee positions.
The NA Rules Committee agreed that all Committees will be comprised of 11 Members: ANC – 6; DA – 2; EFF – 1; other parties – 2.
Where it is practicably possible, each party is entitled to at least one representative in a Committee.
Read More: A note to the Sixth Parliament: Committee Membership
Read More: A Note to the Sixth Parliament: The critical role of Committee Chairperson
Committees in Practice
With the agreement of members, the Committee staff sets the dates and times of committee meetings. The frequency of committee meetings is determined by a committee’s work programme but it is normal for a committee to meet weekly. From time to time, committees can meet more than once a week if they work programme so demands.
Section 59(1)(b) of the Constitution requires that the National Assembly and it’s committees conduct their business in an open manner and hold their sittings in public. Section 59(2) states that the National Assembly may not exclude the public or the media unless it is ‘reasonable and justifiable to do so in an open and democratic society’. Rule 184(2) of the Rules of the National Assembly further require that any decision to exclude the public from a committee meeting or part thereof must be taken ‘after due consideration’ by that committee
Who attends Committee Meetings?:
MPs (those assigned to the committee and if they so wish, any other MP)
Committee Staff: Committee Secretary, Committee Assistant, Researcher, Content Advisor
Departments, entities, organizations, individuals and experts who are invited by the Committee to speak and be questioned
Parliamentary Legal Advisor (from time to time)
Media
General Public
THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES OF PARLIAMENT
Portfolio Committees
The National Assembly (NA) appoints from among its members a number of Portfolio Committees to shadow the work of the various national government departments.
Select Committees
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) appoints from its permanent members a number of Select Committees to shadow the work of the various national government departments and to deal with Bills.
Because only 54 of the 90 NCOP Members are permanent delegates compared to the 400 of the NA, the Select Committees oversee the work of more than one national government department.
Public Accounts Committees
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Public Accounts acts as Parliament's watchdog over the way taxpayers' money is spent by the Executive. Every year the Auditor-General tables reports on the accounts and financial management of the various government departments and State institutions.
Heads of government departments and institutions are regularly called by this committee to report and account for expenditure. The Committee can recommend that the National Assembly takes corrective actions if necessary.
Internal Committees
The National Assembly has a number of internal committees that deal with matters affecting the running of Parliament. The Committees normally consist of senior Members of Parliament. The Rules Committee and its sub-committees deal with House rules. There are structures to deal with support for Members, internal arrangements, disciplinary matters and powers and privileges of members. Other internal Committees are the Programme Committee that plans the work of the Assembly, the Disciplinary Committee, and the Committee of Chairpersons.
The National Council of Provinces also has its own domestic Committees. The Rules Committee and its subcommittees deal with the NCOP rules. There are structures to deal with support for Members, internal arrangements, disciplinary matters and powers and privileges of members. The Programme Committee plans the work of the NCOP and the Committee of Chairpersons make recommendations about the functioning of Committees and other NCOP forums.
Ad hoc Committees
Parliament or one of its Houses may appoint an ad hoc (temporary) Committee when a special task must be done. When the task is complete, the Committee is dissolved.
Joint Committees
The National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces together appoint a number of joint committees.
There are six Joint Committees:
- Constitutional Review Committee
- Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence
- Joint Standing Committee on Defence
- Committee on Multi-Party Women’s Caucus
- Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament
- Joint Standing Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests
The committees play a very important role in the process of building democracy and involving the public in the processes and activities of Parliament.
No results.
NW805 by Ms T M Mbabama - Whether she has found that awarding... | |
NW446 by Mr N P Masipa - (a) What are the strategies and plans of her... | |
NW747 by Mr M K Montwedi - What (a) are the reasons that livestock that... | |
NW850 by Mr R A Lees - With reference to the Ntabebomvu Community... | |
NW849 by Mr R A Lees - With reference to the Ntabebomvu Community... | |
NW848 by Mr R A Lees - With reference to the Ntabebomvu Community... | |
NW545 by Mr N P Masipa - With regard to the Land Bank clients who... | |
NO204 by Ms M S Letlape - Since 1 December 1998, what are the full... | |
NW210 by Mr N S Matiase - With reference to settled land restitution... | |
NW816 by Dr P J Groenewald - (1) (a) Who are the trustees and (b) how were... | |
NW804 by Ms T M Mbabama - On which legislative provisions does her... | |
NW753 by Ms C N Mkhonto - (1) Whether there is any system in place to... | |
NW669 by Mr N P Masipa - What progress has been made at the... | |
NW551 by Mrs V van Dyk - What does the Constitution of the Rooiwal... | |
NW546 by Mr N P Masipa - (1) What steps has her department taken to... | |
NW137 by Mr N P Masipa - What is the latest update on the progress made... | |
NW494 by Ms B Mathulelwa - What urgent steps of intervention have been... | |
NW469 by Mrs V van Dyk - Whether, with reference to the Rooiwal... | |
NW290 by Mr N P Masipa - What is the latest update regarding the R150... | |
NW673 by Mrs V van Dyk - Whether she will furnish Mrs V van Dyk with... | |
NW589 by Mrs W R Alexander - With reference to her reply to question 102 on... | |
NW136 by Mr N P Masipa - Considering that Cabinet’s approved a R334,41... | |
NW291 by Mr N P Masipa - (1)Whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with... | |
NW543 by Ms A M Siwisa - What are the reasons that (a) students who are... | |
NW651 by Mr M Manyi - What are the full, relevant details of land... | |
NW672 by Mrs V van Dyk - (1) Whether she will furnish Mrs V van Dyk... | |
NW699 by Mrs W R Alexander - Whether she will furnish Mrs W R Alexander... | |
NW640 by Mr N S Matiase - Whether her department conducted any study to... | |
NW532 by Mr M K Montwedi - Considering that her department has finalised... | |
NW522 by Mr N S Matiase - Whether, with reference to her reply to... | |
NW653 by Mr M Manyi - What total amount (a) has the Government spent... | |
NW652 by Mr M Manyi - (a) How much land was transferred as part of... | |
NW547 by Mr N P Masipa - What are the relevant details regarding the... | |
NW470 by Mrs V van Dyk - Whether, with reference to the Rooiwal... | |
NW328 by Mr L J Basson - What are the full details of all (a)... | |
NW433 by Ms T Breedt - With reference to the recent docking of the... | |
NW269 by Inkosi R N Cebekhulu - What specific steps does her department intend... | |
NW289 by Mr N P Masipa - Whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with... | |
NW382 by Mr M K Montwedi - Whether the Public Protector made any findings... | |
NW268 by Inkosi R N Cebekhulu - (a) How does her department intend to address... | |
NW499 by Mr N S Matiase - What has her department found to be the... | |
NW498 by Mr N S Matiase - What total number of households and/or... | |
NW209 by Mr N S Matiase - With reference to land restitution claims that... | |
NW208 by Mr N S Matiase - What (a) is the total number of (i) commercial... | |
NW57 by Mr N P Masipa - What is the (a) total cost of waste perishable... | |
NW56 by Mr N P Masipa - (1)What is the latest update on the referral... | |
NW381 by Mr N S Matiase - What total number of agri-hubs have benefited... | |
NW72 by Ms T M Mbambama - With reference to her reply to question 789... | |
NW138 by Mr N P Masipa - What is the latest update on the production... | |
NW4 by Ms T Breedt - Whether, with reference to her reply to... |
Bill name | Date introduced | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Deeds Registries Amendment Bill | 02 Nov 2022 | B28-2022 | Approved by Parliament. Waiting to be signed into law. |
Agricultural Product Standards Amendment Bill | 16 Aug 2021 | B15-2021 | Approved by Parliament. Waiting to be signed into law. |
Plant Health (Phytosanitary) Bill | 29 Jul 2021 | B14-2021 | Under consideration by the National Council of Provinces. |
Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Bill | 22 Apr 2021 | B8-2021 | Approved by Parliament. Waiting to be signed into law. |
Animals Protection Amendment Bill | 03 Feb 2021 | B1-2021 | Rejected |
Agricultural Produce Agents Amendment Bill | 26 Nov 2020 | B33-2020 | Withdrawn |
Sectional Titles Amendment Bill | 02 Nov 2020 | B31-2020 | Act commenced |
Upgrading of Land Tenure Rights Amendment Bill | 06 May 2020 | B6-2020 | The bill has been signed into law. |
National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill | 03 Nov 2016 | B22-2016 | Withdrawn |
National Forests Amendment Bill | 21 Jul 2016 | B11-2016 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Liquor Products Amendment Bill | 07 Jul 2016 | B10-2016 | Act commenced |
Plant Breeders’ Rights Bill | 12 Mar 2015 | B11-2015 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Performing Animals Protection Amendment Bill | 03 Mar 2015 | B9-2015 | Act commenced |
Plant Improvement Bill | 03 Mar 2015 | B8-2015 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Marine Living Resources Amendment Bill | 13 Sep 2013 | B30-2013 | Act commenced |
Fertilizers and Feeds Bill | 27 Nov 2012 | B41-2012 | Withdrawn |
Veterinary and Para-veterinary Professions Amendment Bill | 13 Jun 2012 | B25-2012 | Act commenced |
Provision of Land And Assistance Amendment Bill | 12 Jun 2008 | B40-2008 | Act commenced |
Land Use Management Bill | 28 May 2008 | B27-2008 | Lapsed |
Agricultural Debt Management Repeal Bill | 23 May 2008 | B24-2008 | Act commenced |
Liquor Products Amendment Bill | 21 May 2008 | B22-2008 | Act commenced |
Sectional Titles Amendment Bill | 16 May 2006 | B8-2006 | Act commenced |
Deeds Registries Amendment Bill | 04 May 2006 | B5-2006 | Act commenced |
Attendance
Ranked 5 out of 195 for NAMembership
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Breedt, Ms TFF+
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Capa, Mr NANC
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Dlamini, Mr SMANC
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Jafta, Mr SMAIC
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Letlape, Ms M SEFF
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Mahlo, Ms NPANC
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Matiase, Mr NSEFF
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Mbatha, Ms SGNANC
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Thring, Mr WMACDP
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Tlhape, Dr MEANC
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Tshwete, Ms BANC
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Zungula, Mr VATM
Contact
Secretaries of Committee:
Albertina Kakaza
Tel: 021 403 3765
Cell: 083 709 8391
Email: [email protected]
Phumla Nyamza
Tel: 021 403 3852
Cell: 083 709 8492
Secretary To Chairperson:
Nonzwakazi Stemele
E-mail: [email protected]
Cell. 083 709 8496