Podcasts about ncop

John Maytham is joined by EWN reporter Lindsay Dentlinger to unpack the latest twists in the 2025 Budget as she shares key updates and behind-the-scenes insightsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ANC has announced significant changes to its provincial leadership, with former Gauteng Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi and former NCOP chairperson Amos Masondo appointed as co-convenors of the newly reconfigured provincial task team in Gauteng. This development comes on the heels of a similar announcement in KwaZulu-Natal, where a 67-member task team was unveiled, led by convenor Jeff Radebe and coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu. Elvis Presslin spoke to Political Analyst, Nkosikhulule Nyembezi, to unpack these changes and their implications for the ANC's future

NCOP strengthens oversight to improve service delivery and tackle financial mismanagement by Radio Islam

What is the latest on the recent coalition talks, and how have they disintegrated?The National Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General (Dr/Adv.) Godfrey Lebeya and his management hold a media briefing to outline progress and take stock of milestones achieved during the 4th and last quarter of the financial year 2023/2024.NERSA approves City Power's 2024/2025 tariff increase.The highly anticipated Social Media Landscape Report has been released. This report delves into current trends and insights shaping the South African social media landscape, highlighting the impact of AI on brand integrity.Unpacking the US presidential debate: was there a clear winner?SPORTS WRAP.Spreading Good News with Brent Lindeque. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Officials in Johannesburg are responding to an incident where a passenger on the Metrobus has been shot. Analysis of GNU talks. The NCOP meets today to discuss the house rules ahead of the election of house chairpersons on Thursday.Graft-accused former Steinhoff executive Stephan Grobler returns to court. The former head of legal for the once-celebrated retailer, Grobler, was arrested earlier this year for fraud, racketeering, and infringement of the Financial Markets Act.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo will TODAY preside over the swearing in of the permanent delegates in the National Council of Provinces - NCOP. This follows YESTERDAY's swearing in ceremony of  the hundreds of Members of Parliament at the Cape Town International Convention Centre during the first sitting of the National Assembly of the seventh Parliament. To walk us through today's process Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  the council's secretary, Advocate Modibedi Phindela 

Analysis of today's sitting and significance. Gauteng provincial legislature, where a premier, a speaker, a deputy speaker and members of the NCOP will be elected. First sitting of the provincial legislature in KZN, following yesterday's announcement by the NFP that it would go into coalition with the IFP, ANC and DA in the province. What does this mean for MK? Spreading good news with Brent Lindeque.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SA's political parties are continuing Government of National Unity discussions as the first sitting of the National Assembly post the National and Provincial Elections approaches. Parliament is expected to elect both the speakers of parliament tomorrow and nominate a president elect while speakers of and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will be elected on Saturday. Meanwhile, the ANC has yet to make available details of the proposed Government of National Unity. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Political analyst and chief research specialist in Democracy and Citizenship at the Human Science Research Council and a Research Fellow at the Centre for African Studies at the University of the Free State, Prof Joleen Steyn Kotze

ActionSA in KwaZulu Natal says the removal of eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda is not surprising. This after Kaunda was redeployed to the National Council of Provinces, NCOP.  The party says the move exposes the true nature of the coalition agreement between the DA and ANC, which they claim is not a genuine government of national unity, but rather a political arrangement that serves the interests of the two parties. To elaborate further on their sentiments, Elvis Presslin spoke to Zwakele Mncwango, ActionSA's KZN Provincial Chairperson

Political expert from the University of South Africa, Professor Dirk Kotze says members of Umkhonto Wesizwe party will still have an opportunity to be sworn in after the first sittings of the National Assembly and the NCOP. This comes after the MK Party signaled its intention to boycott the first sittings expected to take place on Friday and Saturday, which will be presided over by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. The National Assembly sitting is scheduled to take place on Friday morning, while the NCOP is expected to take place on Saturday. The MK party is currently the third largest political party which garnered 58 seats in the Assembly. Kotze says nothing disqualifies the MK members from taking their seats later. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC Politics Editor, Mzwandile Mbeje and SABC Politics reporter, Zoleka Qodashe

So what process awaits in Parliament after all votes have been counted, declared and seats allocated? To tell us more we are joined  by Advocate Modibedi Phindela, Secreatry to the National Council of Provinces, NCOP.

In a flurry during the final sitting of the 6th parliament yesterday, the NCOP and NA passed 9 bills. Many questioning the rush to ascent these bills into law ahead of the elections at the end of May. Crystal Orderson speaks to EWN Reporter, Lindsay Dentlinger. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Basil Manuel | Executive Director of Naptosa   The National Assembly has adopted and passed the amended Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill, sending it off to the desk of President Cyril Ramaphosa to be signed into law. The NA passed the bill after it was adopted by the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on Wednesday (15 May), accepting the amendments made at the National Council of Provinces. The NCOP adopted the bill on Tuesday (14 May) after deferring the bill last week on a technicality. The passed bill, the amended D-bill, was adopted by all provinces except the Western Cape. Several key issues were raised in the processing of the bill by the provinces—particularly around language and admission policies—which led to further amendments to the laws by the Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sport, Arts and Culture. This resulted in the D-bill, which has now been passed by the National Assembly and sent to Ramaphosa for assent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zeenat Sujee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has passed the Pension Funds Amendment Bill without any objections. The Bill was passed by the National Assembly last month and sent to the NCOP for concurrence. Other Bills that were also passed by the NCOP include the Climate Change Bill and the Post Office Amendment Bill as Mercedes Besent reports.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) noted on Friday that although the current version of the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB) is a major improvement from previous ones and a step in the right direction, there are still some concerns for civil society organisations. Last month, Parliament's National Assembly adopted the new GILAB. Outa regards the third iteration of the Bill as an improvement on the first two versions, and views the "omission of the draconian provisions" as a victory for civil society. The organisation raised concerns with the failure by GILAB to give sufficient powers to the Auditor-General, the Inspector-General of Intelligence, and Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to oversee the Secret Services expenditure of R4.865-billion in 2024/25. The organisation highlighted that although the Inspector-General of Intelligence could appoint their own staff and determine the organisational structure, they still could not make legally binding decisions or recommendations. "…which means that their investigations into malfeasance are unlikely to lead to any form of accountability," explained Outa. GILAB will now proceed to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for further consideration. "…although it is noted that, since it is a Section 75 Bill (on ordinary Bill not affecting provinces), the NCOP need not concur with the Bill for it to be passed," Outa pointed out. The organisation said, more than ever, South Africa needed an active civil society that could hold government to account, adding that any measures by the State to interfere with or hamper civil activism was a recipe for authoritarian conduct that would stifle the organisation's work. Outa noted some of the improvements on the new GILAB, highlighting the removal of the security vetting provision in some instances. It also noted that the previous Bill had a broad definition of "person or institution of national security interest" which granted excessive authority to State intelligence agencies to conduct mandatory security vetting. It is concerned about this lack of clarity regarding the criteria for identification and the potential for abuse of power. The previous versions of GILAB propose to expand the mass interception surveillance powers of State security agencies through the National Communications Centre (NCC) without adequate safeguards for privacy and freedom of expression. Outa noted that the oversight mechanisms outlined fell short of constitutional standards and risked granting unchecked surveillance powers to the government. It added that the current version of GILAB required intelligence services to seek approval from a judge to conduct mass interception and that judge must be appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice. Outa said that the GILAB now included more stringent oversight over data collected by the NCC and clearly recognised the safeguards of the Protection of Personal Information Act. "Although some of the problematic broad definitions, such as "national security", still remain in GILAB, it is commendable that the ill-defined term "potential opportunity", which was contained in the older versions of GILAB, has been removed," Outa said.

Ten opposition parties, currently represented in Parliament, have petitioned President Cyril Ramaphosa to not sign into law the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill, on the grounds that it is unconstitutional. The Electoral Matters Amendment Bill was passed by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) last week and sent to Ramaphosa for assent. The Bill is a sequel to the Electoral Amendment Act that was passed last year to provide for independent candidates to stand for election in Parliament and provincial legislatures. It provides for the regulation of the private and public funding of independent candidates and independent representatives, among other things. Non-governmental organisation My Vote Counts made submissions to Parliament, arguing that, in its current form, the Bill is "unconstitutional, and undermines" the Constitution in respect of transparency and accountability in political party funding legislation. Other civil society organisations are also calling for the Bill to be reviewed. The political parties that have petitioned Ramaphosa include the African Christian Democratic Party, the African Transformation Movement, the Congress of the People, the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Freedom Front Plus, GOOD Party, the Inkatha Freedom Party, the National Freedom Party, the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania and the United Democratic Movement. "If the President assents to the Bill we would then be forced to join those in civil society, who have already given notice of their intention to approach the courts, to oppose this legislation on the grounds of unconstitutionality," said the parties. The Multi-Party Coalition explained that the Bill was "hastily" approved by the National Assembly, and then by the NCOP and includes contentious and substantive changes to the Political Party Funding Act which were not consequential to the inclusion of independent candidates. "The substantive, and unnecessary, amendments to the Political Party Funding Act included a change to the implementation of Sec 236 of the Constitution which requires that represented political parties receive public funding on an 'equitable and proportional basis' in order to enhance multi-party democracy," said the opposition parties. The Multi-Party Coalition highlighted that the African National Congress "opportunistically" used the need for consequential changes to be made to the electoral system to substantially increase their public funding by 25%, based on current representation. This is achieved at the expense of all of the opposition parties, except the DA which would also receive an increase of about 10% in public funding, they argued. "Despite the benefit of a proposed increase the DA joins us in challenging the Bill's constitutionality. We have submitted to the President that this does not enhance multi-party democracy but undermines it," they explained. The parties have also submitted to the President that, in its haste to pass this legislation, Parliament has failed to meet the constitutional duty to facilitate meaningful and reasonable public consultation. Civil society has argued the same. Opposition parties noted that with the national elections eight weeks away, parties are all committed to contesting without disrupting or delaying the election timetable. "However, it is our duty as currently represented parties to protect the constitutional imperative of enhancing a multi-party democracy in the face of this existential threat to one of democracy's greatest strengths," it said. The opposition parties called on Ramaphosa to refers those parts of the Bill which make substantive amendments to current legislation to the next Parliament for proper and constitutionally compliant consideration.

Law firm Webber Wentzel noted on Thursday that should President Cyril Ramaphosa decide to sign the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill (EMAB) into law, its client, My Vote Counts, will launch an urgent application to challenge the constitutional validity of the Bill, and obtain interdictory relief to prevent its implementation. The Bill was sent to Ramaphosa for assent after the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) passed it without amendments on Tuesday. The Bill is a sequel to the Electoral Amendment Act that was passed last year to provide for independent candidates to stand for election in Parliament and provincial legislatures. It provides for the regulation of the private and public funding of independent candidates and independent representatives, among other things. In My Vote Counts' submissions to Parliament, it argued that, in its current form, the Bill is "unconstitutional, and undermines" the constitutional duties in respect of transparency and accountability in political party funding legislation. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND PRESIDENTIAL SOLE DISCRETION The organisation explained that the version of the Bill that has been passed, has not been subject to public participation, which is in breach of Section 72 of the Constitution. It noted that not just the process before the NCOP, but the entire enactment of the EMAB, including the President's assent, could be deemed invalid owing to the fundamental breach of constitutional procedure. The Bill allows the President discretion to establish the funding upper limit and the disclosure threshold places a substantial amount of political influence within the grasp of one individual. My Vote Counts added that this essentially allows the President to set rules that could disproportionately benefit his own party's political interests, creating an unequal playing field for other political entities. My Vote Counts argues that this is unconstitutional because the President, as the leader of a political party, inherently possesses a vested interest in the outcomes of such decisions. "The ability to influence the financial dynamics of political competition, including the flow of private donations, can significantly impact the political landscape to favour the President's party," it says. The organisation highlights that there is presently no National Assembly resolution authorising the President to determine the upper limit and disclosure threshold and any such resolution is unlikely to be passed before the elections scheduled for May 29. This, My Vote Counts explains, will place South Africa's constitutional democracy and party accountability in peril, and will facilitate the undue influence by certain companies and actors in South Africa's political and governance system. The organisation notes that in light of the constitutional defects, Ramaphosa should not sign the Bill into law, instead he should refer the Bill back to the National Assembly and the NCOP for reconsideration. "If the reconsidered EMAB does not cure the constitutional defects, then, in terms of Section 79(4) of the Constitution, the President should refer the EMAB to the Constitutional Court," it says. The President can only sign the Bill into law after the Constitutional Court determines it to be constitutional, said My Vote Counts. It is requesting that Ramaphosa provide confirmation in writing by no later than Wednesday regarding his intentions in respect of the Bill.

The DA's choice of some 30 election candidates was announced yesterday. The newest faces of the DA will be up for a seat in the National Assembly and NCOP after the elections on May 29. 14 of the 30 candidates are women. Lester Kiewit speaks to Helen Zille, DA federal council chairperson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three key Bills will be sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa for assent, as required by the Constitution, after the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) passed them during its plenary on Tuesday. The National Council of Gender-based Violence (GBV) and Femicide Bill, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Amendment Bill and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Amendment Bill were passed by the NCOP. The National Assembly (NA) passed all three Bills last year and sent them to the NCOP for concurrence. Parliament noted that the National Council on GBV Bill seeks to establish the National Council on GBV and Femicide and aims to set up a multi-sectoral, independent, and non-partisan statutory body that provides strategic leadership to address GBV and femicide in South Africa. It further provides for the objects and functions of the council, the appointment of the board of the council and its members, and it determines the board's term. The NYDA Amendment Bill seeks to amend the NYDA Act of 2008 to address various issues related to the functions and governance of the NYDA. Parliament highlighted that the Bill provides for additional NYDA board members and sets term limits for their tenure, also requiring that board members submit financial disclosures. The Bill also seeks to amend matters about board meetings and the funding of the agency. "The passing of this Bill by the NCOP plenary today is an important step towards strengthening the NYDA and ensuring its effectiveness in addressing the needs of the country's youth," it added. Meanwhile, the IPID Amendment Bill, which was introduced in Parliament by the Minister of Police in July last year, proposes amendments to the IPID Act. The Bill emanates from the 2016 Constitutional Court ruling involving the suspension of then-IPID executive director Robert McBride. "The Constitutional Court found that the IPID Act contained provisions that gave the Minister of Police excessive political powers, allowing undue influence over the executive director of IPID. The court found that the existing IPID Act contravened South Africa's constitutional principles, which call for the establishment of an independent police complaints body to investigate alleged misconduct or offences committed by members of the South African Police Service," explained Parliament. It noted that the Act essentially allowed the Minister to suspend, discipline, or remove the executive director without parliamentary oversight, eroding the independence of IPID. Meanwhile, the NCOP has considered the Expropriation Bill and resolved to send it back to the National Assembly with proposed amendments. The Bill seeks to repeal the existing Expropriation Act of 1975 to provide a common framework to guide the processes and procedures for the expropriation of property by organs of State. It further seeks to provide for certain instances where expropriation with no compensation may be appropriate in the public interest. After some deliberation, the House resolved to send the Bill back to the National Assembly with proposed amendments for reconsideration.

Nineteen civil society groups are appealing that Parliament's Select Committee on Security and Justice reject the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill (EMAB), warning that if passed and signed into law it will weaken transparency and accountability in party funding legislation. The contentious Bill was passed by the National Assembly and is now with the Select Committee to be voted on. If passed, it will go to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and then to the President to sign into law. Civil society groups have written to the Select Committee, arguing that several of the Bill's proposed amendments are unconstitutional and that the public participation process was not adequate. "If passed in its current form, amendments the Bill makes to the Political Party Funding Act (PPFA) will weaken transparency and accountability in our party funding legislation. While there is a legitimate need to amend certain pieces of legislation to bring independent candidates into the political fold, the attempts to fundamentally alter aspects of the PPFA are opportunistic and make it easier for all political parties to solicit private funding with less public scrutiny," the groups warn. The Bill holds amendments that expand the President's powers in determining key limits in the PPFA, with no meaningful guidelines. It gives the President sole discretion to determine the upper limit of donations made by private parties and the minimum amount required for political parties to disclose donations received from private parties. The groups also noted the NCOP's reluctance to entertain further public participation on the electoral legislation, which it describes as one of the most important in South African history. "We maintain that the question of whether the changes to the EMAB, from the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs process to the Select Committee on Security and Justice, are material or not has not been fully tested. The role of this Committee as a bulwark against political overreach cannot be overstated. The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs made a grave error in adopting the EMAB and we appeal to you to reject the Bill or to make the necessary amendments and return it to the National Assembly," the groups said.

Paul-Michael Keichel is a cannabis law specialist at Cullinan & Associates inCape Town and he joins John to discuss the implications of the recently passedCannabis for Private Purpose Bill, which stands on the president's desk waitingto be signed into law.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Controversial NHI Bill has moved closer to reality after passing NCOP by Radio Islam

MPs met to discuss the financial management of the National Assembly on Tuesday, with opposition parties fuming over an alleged secret R1.8m salary hike for secretary to parliament Xolile George. Demanding answers, they claimed the salary differed from the R2,604,661 annual package that was advertised. According to the Sunday Times, George earns a whopping R4.4m. National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and NCOP chair Amos Masondo hiked George's salary by R1.8m. Recommendations contained in the 2023/24 First Quarter Report; 2022/23 Annual Report; draft 2024/25 Annual Performance Plan and 2022/23 Annual Report of Parliamentary Budget Office were tabled in parliament. The recommendations include that: vacancies be filled with speed; broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings be accessible to all South Africans, not just on paid TV channels; and MPs must go to communities and not just work behind computers. The restoration and reconstruction of parliament was also a hot topic, with MPs sharing passionate views about the speed of rebuilding parliament.

The passing of the National Health Insurance, NHI Bill by the National Council of Provinces, NCOP has been moved to next week. The NHI Bill seeks to achieve universal health coverage for all South Africans. However, those opposed to the Bill in its current form feel its not in the best interest of patients and the role of private medical schemes. The debate and vote on the NHI Bill was deferred to next week Wednesday without any explanation given. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Nicholas Crisp, Deputy Director-General in the Department of Health

Business committed to building SA, Ramaphosa says after Ntshavheni's accusation More than a week after Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni accused the private sector of engineering the state's collapse, President Cyril Ramaphosa said business' current partnership with government illustrates how committed they are to the country. Ramaphosa and business issued a joint statement on Wednesday after Cabinet met with business leaders as part of their initiative to deal with the country's energy, transport, and logistics, as well as crime and corruption problems. "Since we began, we have made significant progress in establishing structures and ways of working, mobilising resources and driving implementation of key actions. We see this partnership as evidence of the business community's commitment to building our country and overcoming the challenges that we face," Ramaphosa said in a statement. At a post-Cabinet briefing last week, Ntshavheni was asked about a long-standing probe into rand manipulation that involves 28 banks. She said that "the performance of the economy has been manipulated by [the] private sector, [which] has no interest in the development of this country", adding that the private sector continued to "engineer and do machinations to ensure the government collapses". Business Unity SA said it hoped Ntshavheni would reconsider her comments and it would "raise it with government through the partnership".BUSA president and Discovery CEO Adrian Gore said in Wednesday's joint statement that there had been some movement on collaboration structures with government. Some of the highlighted successes include over 1 000MW of power generation capacity, establishing the Rail Infrastructure Manager for Transnet - which opens the doors to third-party train operators, and establishing a digital and financial Forensic Analysis Centre. "Despite these initial successes… the pace of delivery across the initiative seems to be plateauing, mainly as a result of delays in regulatory and other approvals, as well as slippage on the implementation of strategic plans, and the alignment of these to workable funding solutions," Gore said. Next story, 'I don't think there should be any panic': Ramaphosa won't just sign NHI Bill into law President Cyril Ramaphosa won't simply sign the controversial National Health Insurance Bill into law. "I don't think there should be any panic," Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said at a briefing on Wednesday, just hours before the National Council of Provinces vote on whether or not to accept the Bill in its current form. "Concerns have been expressed directly to the president [about] certain parts of the Bill. Once the Bill has been passed, the president still has a constitutional imperative in processing that Bill before he signs it. He will look at the process. One of the things he will look at is, has there been sufficient consultation and if so, have those consultations sufficiently addressed the issues of concern," Magwenya explained. He said it was within Ramaphosa's remit to send back a bill if he has any concerns. "The passing of the Bill doesn't necessarily mark the conclusion of the process. The president does not, each time he receives a Bill, just sign it as a given. If he so desires, he can open another round of consultation to satisfy himself that what he will sign will not be subjected to endless litigation," the spokesperson added. He was briefing the media about Ramaphosa's diary. In an unprecedented move, business organisations have written to the presiding officers of the NCOP as well as Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who is the leader of government business, urgently appealing to put a stop to the bill. Last week, the NCOP Select Committee on Health and Social Services adopted the bill without any amendments to the version passed by the National Assembly, despite intense lobbying from Business Unity SA, Business for SA, and healthcare professionals. Also making hea...

President Cyril Ramaphosa won't simply sign the controversial National Health Insurance Bill into law. "I don't think there should be any panic," Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said at a briefing on Wednesday, just hours before the National Council of Provinces vote on whether or not to accept the Bill in its current form. "Concerns have been expressed directly to the president [about] certain parts of the Bill. Once the Bill has been passed, the president still has a constitutional imperative in processing that Bill before he signs it. He will look at the process. One of the things he will look at is, has there been sufficient consultation and if so, have those consultations sufficiently addressed the issues of concern," Magwenya explained. He said it was within Ramaphosa's remit to send back a bill if he has any concerns. "The passing of the Bill doesn't necessarily mark the conclusion of the process. The president does not, each time he receives a Bill, just sign it as a given. If he so desires, he can open another round of consultation to satisfy himself that what he will sign will not be subjected to endless litigation," the spokesperson added. He was briefing the media about Ramaphosa's diary. In an unprecedented move, business organisations have written to the presiding officers of the NCOP as well as Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who is the leader of government business, urgently appealing to put a stop to the bill. Last week, the NCOP Select Committee on Health and Social Services adopted the bill without any amendments to the version passed by the National Assembly, despite intense lobbying from Business Unity SA, Business for SA, and healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals also voiced their concerns over the NCOP's refusal to amend the bill, which has moved almost entirely unchanged through the parliamentary process since 2019. Business organisations are particularly concerned about Section 33 of the Bill, which deals with the phasing-in of the NHI and the phasing out of private medical aid insurance. It states that "once the NHI is fully implemented as determined by the Minister of Health, medical schemes may only offer complementary cover to services not reimbursable by the fund". Section 33 is certain to be challenged on constitutional grounds, due to the limitation it would impose on the right to health. Trade union Solidarity has already indicated that it will challenge this. The Bill aims to establish universal healthcare for all South Africans by abolishing the "two-tier" system, in which the bulk of healthcare spending is made in the private sector for the benefit of a few, while the mass of the population is relegated to the "under-funded" public sector. The Bill will establish a single NHI Fund, managed by the state, to buy healthcare services from the public and private sectors. Services will be free to the public at the point of delivery. Once a service becomes available under the NHI, medical schemes will no longer be allowed to cover it, implying the ultimate phasing out of private medical insurance. Proceedings in the NCOP started at 14:00, but the vote on the Bill is expected later in the afternoon.

In this video, we're going to explore the secrets of human behavior. Discover the surprising truth about the power of the soul, and how it can influence your life. This is a cutting-edge video, full of fascinating information about human behavior. If you're interested in understanding yourself and your own behavior, then you need to watch this video! OUR SPECIAL GUEST: PASTOR CORY ROSENKE: As an author, pastor, presenter, and tenacious pursuer of truth, Cory Rosenke is both the concept pioneer and the foremost authority on the cravings of the soul. Through session, song, workshop and manuscript, he is dedicated to the pivotal work of connecting hungry souls to the joy of their Maker. In a world where truth and reality have become shrouded in deceptive ambiguity, Cory Rosenke specializes in reasserting the clarity of Divine definition and design. He currently resides in Mountain View, California. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: Website: https://coryrosenke.com/ Book: https://youtu.be/DxKqrnB2HU4?si=Saaac6nmy-xdbUcS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coryrosenkeministries MDNTV, giving the masses an independent voice in the crucial decisions that shape our media. https://mdntvlive.com/ Subscribe to MDNTV and watch all the latest news headlines and TRENDING videos made by people for people like you. Parliament, NCOP, Democracy, Oversight, Speaker, DA, ANC, EFF, UDM, IFP, ALJAMA, NFP, FFPLUS, ATM, South Africa, National Assembly, Public Participation, GOOD PARTY, Political Parties LISTEN to MDNTV THE PODCAST · https://mdntvlive.com/ For Interviews/news email interviews@mdntv.live For Advertising advertising@mdntv.live sassa news sassa status check srd R350 #mdntv #MdnNews #news #media #whatthemediawillnotshowyou #whatthemediawontshow #medias #mediaperson #me #press #reporters #tvhost #tvhostnews #freshnews #tv #television #thisismedia #meme #Mdntv #india #new #bhfyp #indonesia #usa #trending #sport #hiphop #video #youtube #business #football #world #sports #news #coronavirus #corona #facts #headlines #todaysnews #newsreporter #updatenews #newstoday #newsoftheday #newsupdate --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mdntv/message

LeAnne Kennedy, PharmD, BCOP, CPP, FHOPA, is the President of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA), co-founder of the North Carolina Oncology Pharmacists (NCOP) Association, and Clinical Oncology Pharmacy Manager at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Dr. Kennedy talks through how NCOP started more than 20 years ago as well as her priorities for HOPA this year!

ROLLAN ROBERTS II is an American businessman, government advisor, and 2024 Republican candidate for President of the United States.   He is married to Rebecca Lea Roberts, with whom they share one son, Rollan III, due July 2, 2023, and has 2 older daughters from a previous marriage. Rollan started his career at the bottom working his way through college, and eventually getting his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Liberty University and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from California InterContinental University. He has led small and large companies and helped underserved people start businesses around the world. He believes that entrepreneurship is the single, greatest economic engine on earth that levels the playing field and does not discriminate. He has extensive experience with good governance, infrastructure, foreign affairs, education, and diplomacy. He served with former Congresspeople and Ambassadors on a U.S. Delegation to South Sudan in 2021 and 2022 where he assisted with the stabilization of the transitional to permanent government. Previously, he has served as an advisor to national governments on matters of diplomacy, national security, entrepreneurship, education, clean water, wastewater, and waste-to-energy infrastructure. His mission has been to solve complex systematic and structural problems for access to clean water, business and literacy education, and food security in Africa to accelerate the transformation of Africa's economic, technology, education, social welfare, and healthcare sectors.  It was through these efforts that the burden and calling for leading America 2.0 to prepare the ground for an America capable of leading the 22nd century was birthed. The more time he spent in Africa, the more glaring were the cracks and threat to America's global leadership position that the current rut of vile political discourse does not address or secure for our continued global leadership into the 22nd century.  He has written books, created entrepreneurship programs, women's empowerment and vocational trainings, and individual mentorship programs to empower people from all walks of life. He was nominated to the civilian DoD Central Command Task Force in 2016, addressed China's government on trade relations and intellectual property theft in 2017 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, spoke at Bloomberg's 2017 Year Ahead Conference in Shanghai, and worked alongside U.S. Congresspeople, Ambassadors, Special Envoys, and foreign leaders to make the world a better and safer place for all.  He was given the African diplomatic designation of His Excellency as Peace Ambassador to Nations from the International College of Peace Studies. And now, with the help of Almighty God, he seeks to serve every American as President of the United States. Join us in changing the face of news. Become a part of the MDNTV community today: Stay updated by joining our WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KX165HAxlsLJklBtO5DYp8 Don't miss any of our exciting updates, subscribe to our newsletter: https://mdntvlive.com/ Listen to our Podcast https://podcasts.mdntvlive.com/ Follow our YouTube Channel for immediate live updates: https://www.youtube.com/@mdntvlive Parliament, NCOP, Democracy, Oversight, Speaker, DA, ANC, EFF, UDM, IFP, ALJAMA, NFP, FFPLUS, ATM, South Africa, National Assembly, Public Participation, GOOD PARTY, Political Parties --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mdntv/message

Guest: Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, The Chairperson of SAMASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP)  has passed the Eskom Debt Relief Bill. This marks another step towards it becoming law. The Eskom Debt Relief Bill was originally introduced to the National Assembly in February this year; following public participation and multiple briefings throughout April, it made its way to the NCOP for the first time in May. EFF's Moletsane Moletsane rejected the bill and  ANC's Zolani  Mkiva welcomed Eskom's Debt Relief Bill. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC Parliament reporter, Joseph Mosia 

The National Council of Province's committee on Health is today being briefed by officials from the Department of Health on the National Health Insurance Bill. The bill was been passed by the National Assembly last week with the aim to provide universal healthcare to all South Africans, at both public or private health facilities. The NCOP will finish off its second term with oral question and answers from the Economics cluster, before joining members of Parliament from the National Assembly, to do work among their constituents. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Zalene Merrington.

Is the NHI a blessing or a curse for South Africa's healthcare system? That is the big question that we aim to unpack in today's discussion. The National Assembly this week  passed the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill with 205 MPs in support of it. The bill will now be sent to the NCOP for concurrence then signed into law by the President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Bill seeks to give all South Africans access to quality health care and makes provision for one pool of health care funding for private and public health care providers. Deputy Director General for the National Health Insurance (NHI) at the Health Department, Dr Nicholas Crisp says the primary source of funding for the NHI Bill will be the current tax system. A few organisations have vowed to legally challenge the implementation of the National Health Insurance Bill. For this discussion we are joined by Dr Simon  Strachan,  Paeditrician in private practice and the CEO of the South African Private Practitioners Forum  AND Dr Zamasomi Meyiwa Luvuno from the Centre for Rural Health at the University of Kwa Zulu Natal....  

Clement speaks to Chief Whip of NCOP, Seiso Mohai defining what holding the president accountable looks like ahead of SONA 2023.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawyer and forensic economist Brian Peter Brinig discuss the benefits of adding expert witness consultation to your professional practice. https://brianbrinig.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Art-Expert-Witness-Testimony/dp/B0BM4H2SD3/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3K0DRFOGVXIOL&keywords=brian+peter+brinig&qid=1671473024&sprefix=brian+peter+brinig+%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc Brian Peter Brinig is an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law and managing director, CBIZ Forensic Consulting Group LLC. He is a certified public accountant and non-practicing lawyer who has specialized in forensic accounting and business valuation for more than forty years in Southern California. His upcoming book, "Mastering the Art of Expert Witness Testimony" presents strategies and tactics for the expert witness in the courtroom and offers advice on how and why a business professional should become a trial expert witness. https://brianbrinig.com/ MDNTV, giving the masses an independent voice in the crucial decisions that shape our media. https://mdntvlive.com/ Subscribe to MDNTV and watch all the latest news headlines and TRENDING videos made by people for people like you. Parliament, NCOP, Democracy, Oversight, Speaker, DA, ANC, EFF, UDM, IFP, ALJAMA, NFP, FFPLUS, ATM, South Africa, National Assembly, Public Participation, GOOD PARTY, Political Parties LISTEN to MDNTV THE PODCAST · https://mdntvlive.com/ For Interviews/news email interviews@mdntv.live For Advertising advertising@mdntv.live sassa news sassa status check srd R350 #mdntv #MdnNews #news #media #whatthemediawillnotshowyou #whatthemediawontshow #medias #mediaperson #me #press #reporters #tvhost #tvhostnews #freshnews #tv #television #thisismedia #meme #Mdntv #india #new #bhfyp #indonesia #usa #trending #sport #hiphop #video #youtube #business #football #world #sports #news #coronavirus #corona #facts #headlines #todaysnews #newsreporter #updatenews #newstoday #newsoftheday #newsupdate --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mdntv/message

Patrick is the CEO and Founder of Invest on Main Street with holdings that include general partner ownership of a multifamily real estate portfolio valued over $416M, including 3,000+ units across the southeastern United States and Texas. Patrick has been active in real estate investment since 2007, including purchasing land and distressed assets, renovating them, and stabilizing them for long-term cash flow. ​Patrick founded Invest on Main Street to help investors build wealth through tax-advantaged cash flow and appreciation while limiting their exposure to market volatility and inflation. All the while, providing a safer, cleaner and improved living experience for the residents. On the Forbes Real Estate Council, he authors thought leadership articles and contributes to expert panels for Forbes on investing and commercial real estate He co-authored an Amazon #1 best selling book, Persistence, Pivots and Game Changers, Turning Challenges Into Opportunities. Patrick holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA and a Master of Science in Engineering. When not doing real estate, his company, Protomation Systems, LLC, contracts the design and build one-of-a-kind manufacturing automation and robotic systems. He is also an avid traveler, mountaineer, kite surfer, and adventure sports enthusiast. https://investonmainstreet.com/passive-investor-guide/ MDNTV, giving the masses an independent voice in the crucial decisions that shape our media. https://mdntvlive.com/ Subscribe to MDNTV and watch all the latest news headlines and TRENDING videos made by people for people like you. Parliament, NCOP, Democracy, Oversight, Speaker, DA, ANC, EFF, UDM, IFP, ALJAMA, NFP, FFPLUS, ATM, South Africa, National Assembly, Public Participation, GOOD PARTY, Political Parties LISTEN to MDNTV THE PODCAST · https://mdntvlive.com/ For Interviews/news email interviews@mdntv.live For Advertising advertising@mdntv.live sassa news sassa status check srd R350 #mdntv #MdnNews #news #media #whatthemediawillnotshowyou #whatthemediawontshow #medias #mediaperson #me #press #reporters #tvhost #tvhostnews #freshnews #tv #television #thisismedia #meme #Mdntv #india #new #bhfyp #indonesia #usa #trending #sport #hiphop #video #youtube #business #football #world #sports #news #coronavirus #corona #facts #headlines #todaysnews #newsreporter #updatenews #newstoday #newsoftheday #newsupdate --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mdntv/message

Troy Hadeed was born in Trinidad, wrote his first letter to the editor at 10, has taught yoga internationally for over 15 years, and has founded several successful businesses, including a hemp store, a waste oil recycling business and a yoga studio. He has walked coast-to-coast across central America, navigated the world on a ship, spent prolonged periods in silence, and is continuously seeking to make sense of the human experience. In all things, Troy hopes that his life will assist others in rediscovering a relationship with the God of their understanding while inspiring people to embody more compassion, understanding, and love. https://troyhadeed.com/ MDNTV, giving the masses an independent voice in the crucial decisions that shape our media. https://mdntvlive.com/ Subscribe to MDNTV and watch all the latest news headlines and TRENDING videos made by people for people like you. Parliament, NCOP, Democracy, Oversight, Speaker, DA, ANC, EFF, UDM, IFP, ALJAMA, NFP, FFPLUS, ATM, South Africa, National Assembly, Public Participation, GOOD PARTY, Political Parties LISTEN to MDNTV THE PODCAST · https://mdntvlive.com/ For Interviews/news email interviews@mdntv.live For Advertising advertising@mdntv.live sassa news sassa status check srd R350 #mdntv #MdnNews #news #media #whatthemediawillnotshowyou #whatthemediawontshow #medias #mediaperson #me #press #reporters #tvhost #tvhostnews #freshnews #tv #television #thisismedia #meme #Mdntv #india #new #bhfyp #indonesia #usa #trending #sport #hiphop #video #youtube #business #football #world #sports #news #coronavirus #corona #facts #headlines #todaysnews #newsreporter #updatenews #newstoday #newsoftheday #newsupdate --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mdntv/message

Anmol made his name as a high paid consultant in the trading and investing industry. In 2015 he launched LiveTraders. Anmol has coached and trained over 1000+ traders and investors. Some of whom have now gone on to run their own hedge funds. Anmol is considered the leading expert in trading psychology. He has helped thousands of traders worldwide deal with psychological and behavioural issues that arise when high stakes are on the line. He published Prepping for success: 10 Keys for making it in life which has received great reviews on Amazon. This book is about success and productivity and not about Trading. Anmol is involved with various other entrepreneurial ventures and franchise stores. He is also an angel investor, funding start-up companies in addition to maintaining a real estate portfolio. Currently, Anmol remains an avid stock market trader. He spends his day working with his LiveTraders students. https://www.livetraders.com/ MDNTV, giving the masses an independent voice in the crucial decisions that shape our media. https://mdntvlive.com/ Subscribe to MDNTV and watch all the latest news headlines and TRENDING videos made by people for people like you. Parliament, NCOP, Democracy, Oversight, Speaker, DA, ANC, EFF, UDM, IFP, ALJAMA, NFP, FFPLUS, ATM, South Africa, National Assembly, Public Participation, GOOD PARTY, Political Parties LISTEN to MDNTV THE PODCAST · https://mdntvlive.com/ For Interviews/news email interviews@mdntv.live For Advertising advertising@mdntv.live sassa news sassa status check srd R350 #mdntv #MdnNews #news #media #whatthemediawillnotshowyou #whatthemediawontshow #medias #mediaperson #me #press #reporters #tvhost #tvhostnews #freshnews #tv #television #thisismedia #meme #Mdntv #india #new #bhfyp #indonesia #usa #trending #sport #hiphop #video #youtube #business #football #world #sports #news #coronavirus #corona #facts #headlines #todaysnews #newsreporter #updatenews #newstoday #newsoftheday #newsupdate --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mdntv/message

Known as "America's Ambassador on Success," Steve Gallegos is an International Speaker, Trainer, Award-winning Author, and authority on personal development and communications. Through lessons earned as a U.S. Marine, Law Enforcement Officer, Singer-Songwriter/Recording Artist, Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Internet Start-Up Founder, and published Commercial Photographer, Steve delivers unparalleled “real-world” training and guidance to his audiences. As a coach, he guides executives, entrepreneurs, and public personalities to resolve matters dealing with self-mastery, communications, and relationships. Steve is also the Founder and President of the Voices of Impact Awards™, the premier event which celebrates and equips people with stories that inspire humanity. It is the coming together of TEDx, the Grammy's, and American Idol, where ordinary people become extraordinary by sharing their heroic stories. Steve is personally giving away 10 cash prizes to the finalists, including a $20,000 cash award for the grand prize winner. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a man who is putting his money where your mouth is! *Please welcome to our studio/ our show… Steve Gallegos (pronounced “Ga-Yay-Goes”) https://voiawards.com/download-heroic-story-8142022 MDNTV, giving the masses an independent voice in the crucial decisions that shape our media. https://mdntvlive.com/ Subscribe to MDNTV and watch all the latest news headlines and TRENDING videos made by people for people like you. Parliament, NCOP, Democracy, Oversight, Speaker, DA, ANC, EFF, UDM, IFP, ALJAMA, NFP, FFPLUS, ATM, South Africa, National Assembly, Public Participation, GOOD PARTY, Political Parties LISTEN to MDNTV THE PODCAST · https://mdntvlive.com/For Interviews/news email interviews@mdntv.live For Advertising advertising@mdntv.live sassa news sassa status check srd R350 #mdntv #MdnNews #news #media #whatthemediawillnotshowyou #whatthemediawontshow #medias #mediaperson #me #press #reporters #tvhost #tvhostnews #freshnews #tv #television #thisismedia #meme #Mdntv #india #new #bhfyp #indonesia #usa #trending #sport #hiphop #video #youtube #business #football #world #sports #news #coronavirus #corona #facts #headlines #todaysnews #newsreporter #updatenews #newstoday #newsoftheday #newsupdate --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/major-daughter/message

https://twitter.com/PATRICIAMASHAL3/status/1593458747963211777/photo/1 PATRICIA MASHALE: Cop corruption ‘whistleblower' RESPONDS TO CLAIMS MADE BY SAPS THAT SHE'S running a smear campaign against police bosses. My name is Patricia Mashale. I started working at the South African Police Service on 1 August 2007. I first started blowing the whistle on corruption in SAPS in 2009 and have since been outspoken about corruption until recently when there was attempts on my life when I made a protected disclosure to the former National Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole about senior management officials who are implicated in corruption. MDNTV, giving the masses an independent voice in the crucial decisions that shape our media. https://mdntvlive.com/ Subscribe to MDNTV and watch all the latest news headlines and TRENDING videos made by people for people like you. Parliament, NCOP, Democracy, Oversight, Speaker, DA, ANC, EFF, UDM, IFP, ALJAMA, NFP, FFPLUS, ATM, South Africa, National Assembly, Public Participation, GOOD PARTY, Political Parties LISTEN to MDNTV THE PODCAST · https://mdntvlive.com/ For Interviews/news email interviews@mdntv.live For Advertising advertising@mdntv.live sassa news sassa status check srd R350 #mdntv #MdnNews #news #media #whatthemediawillnotshowyou #whatthemediawontshow #medias #mediaperson #me #press #reporters #tvhost #tvhostnews #freshnews #tv #television #thisismedia #meme #Mdntv #india #new #bhfyp #indonesia #usa #trending #sport #hiphop #video #youtube #business #football #world #sports #news #coronavirus #corona #facts #headlines #todaysnews #newsreporter #updatenews #newstoday #newsoftheday #newsupdate --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/major-daughter/message

President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Friday, addressed the community of Ugu, in KwaZulu-Natal, where he said the local community should join hands with government to strengthen their municipality and local governments throughout the province. He was speaking during the outreach programme of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) where, for the first time this week, taking Parliament to the People took place in the Ugu district municipality, on the South Coast. The municipality was badly affected by floods early last year alongside its counterparts in eThekwini, KwaDukuza, and in Msunduzi. Since then, the state of the roads has been a challenge for workers travelling to work, and for businesses that transport their products to markets. “We have heard during the public hearings that the people of this district need housing, particularly after the floods earlier this year destroyed many homes and businesses. The poor state of the roads in parts of the district also did not spare difficulty for leaners to get to schools and for people to get to the clinics. Good roads are not just important to people's everyday lives; they also open up economic opportunities and strengthen local economic development,” he stated. Ugu is an agricultural district, and the president acknowledged that the majority of people relied on the land to feed themselves and their families and to grow crops and for their livelihoods. “Challenges with agricultural production are also having a direct impact on people's lives in this community. There are also longstanding issues with land tenure in areas under traditional administration,” he pointed out. He acknowledged that reports from the Auditor-General and National Treasury pointed to inefficiency, maladministration, lack of financial controls and poor governance in many municipalities. However, he welcomed the new Local Government: Municipal Systems Amendment Act, which he declared as an important tool for improving the manner in which municipalities function and for accountability. “This should be viewed alongside the Framework for the Professionalisation of the Public Sector, which was adopted by Cabinet last month. This makes specific proposals to ensure merit-based recruitment and promotion and more effective consequence management for all public servants. This is going to have a big impact on how government, at all levels, works,” he said. The President said that the task of this year's Taking Parliament to the People was to deliberate on what was being done and what must be done to strengthen local government. “The interaction with the people of Ugu district municipality has no doubt done much to enrich the NCOP's deliberations. We often spend a great deal of time diagnosing the problem and painting a picture of what a poorly-run municipality looks like. We should instead be focused on what an ideal municipality should look like and how to build such municipalities across the country,” Ramaphosa said. He reiterated that the key elements of an ideal municipality included a vibrant economy, places which tourists wanted to visit, inter-connected communities and skills and training hubs. To achieve this, he said local government needed to be capacitated to play a far more prominent role in implementing the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. “We cannot achieve higher economic growth, we cannot create more jobs and we cannot grow more businesses, if local government does not function well. We know there is so much further we need to go if the promise of our Constitution is to be fulfilled for all,” Ramaphosa said.

The National Assembly will  proceed with the special sitting this afternoon to consider and pass the Bill as the extended Constitutional Court deadline is December the tenth. If passed, the Bill still has to go to the NCOP for concurrence. The Bill seeks to give independent candidates the right to contest the provincial and national elections. Singh says it took the executive 18 months before submitting the Bill to Parliament -  six months before the first Constitutional Court deadline of June 2022. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Zalene Merrington.

The Democratic Alliance has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of misusing public resources, saying he should not blur the line between his party and the state. This, was after images emerged of Ramaphosa landing in a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) helicopter in Welkom, in the Free State, where he was to participate in the ANC's Letsema campaign and engage with party branches. SAfm Senior Producer Ronald Phiri spoke to George Michalakis, DA MP and spokesperson for security and justice in the NCOP, and asked him how this was discovered...

The DA will be laying a complaint with the Public Protector against President Cyril Ramaphosa over his use of defence force resources while out on the campaign trail. BizNews correspondent Michael Appel spoke to the DA's spokesperson on security and justice in the NCOP, George Michalakis, about the flight to Welkom in the Free State which took place on 8 October under the ANC's Letsema campaign. Ramaphosa, as president of the ANC, faces a battle on two fronts. In December he'll square off against party rivals in an attempt to hold on to the reins of the ANC, while in about 18 months time, his party faces an uphill battle in the 2024 national elections. Michalakis says this isn't the first time the ANC has blurred the lines between party and state describing it as a move "that has serious consequences for our democracy". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a term in which opposition parties criticised the African National Congress (ANC) caucus for its failure to uphold the Constitution – which they swore to do when they became MPs – a senior ANC MP likened the opposition to fascists and accused the media of not reporting on the party's "tremendous success" in Parliament. Ahead of Parliament's fourth term for the year getting underway after a brief recess, the chairperson of the ANC caucus, Seiso Mohai, penned a missive with regard to the third term, which was released to the media at the weekend. In the letter, he criticised the opposition and the media. The term saw the ANC circle the wagons around President Cyril Ramaphosa, as opposition parties turned up the heat over the allegations around the break-in at his Limpopo game farm, Phala Phala. In August, after Ramaphosa refused to answer a question on Phala Phala, the ANC alleged that he did, indeed, answer the question. In September, the ANC nixed a DA motion to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate Phala Phala, using a discredited notion that other agencies must first investigate before it comes to Parliament. This is the same excuse the ANC used not to appoint an ad hoc committee into state capture, and Chief Justice Raymond Zondo rubbished this reasoning in his report. "Leaving it exclusively to other agencies to investigate and, if necessary, to take action regarding these allegations, at this time, was not in the commission's view consistent with Parliament's constitutional responsibilities," the Zondo report read. The third term also saw the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) disrupting plenaries, with some of their members physically removed from the chambers. This is what led Mohai to the history books, comparing Julius Malema's red overalls to Adolf Hitler's Brownshirts and Benito Mussolini's Blackshirts, even though he never mentioned the EFF by name when he wrote about fascism. "When historians write about Parliament's third term of 2022, they will most likely remark about the attempt by minority opposition political parties, with less than a third of seats in the National Assembly, to dominate the house through coercion and bullying. The events of this term have a historical ring to them (sic)," wrote Mohai. "The attacks on democracy by some of the South African opposition parties, with the uncritical complicity of some in the media, I might add, have been concentrated on the head of state, President Cyril Ramaphosa." He complained that by disrupting National Assembly sittings to "force the president to account on a matter still under investigation by other state agencies, opposition parties have taken a leaf out of Mussolini and Hitler's playbook". "They use the most vulgar language, threats and actual violence to drown out the voices of the elected representatives of the majority party and abuse opposition party leaders who disagree with them. "When the Speaker calls upon the Parliamentary Protection Services to restore order, the same politicians project themselves as victims of unfair rulings by the Speaker." Mohai said the ANC caucus and presiding officers in Parliament are "often projected as lackeys of the Executive by the media". "The reality, however, is different. In the seven weeks of the third term, Parliament had a week-long capacity-building course for MPs. It hosted successful question and answer sessions for the president, deputy president, and all the ministers in the NA and NCOP, adopting many committee reports and legislation. The NCOP held a successful local government week, which discussed solutions to the multiple challenges facing our municipalities. "In the NA, we dealt with pressing matters, like fuel prices and the criminal vandalisation of public infrastructure. We passed consequential legislation, including the Children's Amendment Bill, Traditional Courts Bill and the Expropriation Bill. Incidentally, the vote on the Expropriation Bill exposed the duplicity of the EFF. This...

Union leaders in Parliament have called on the institution to null and void a tender, shrouded in secrecy, to the legislature's former secretary Gengezi Mgidlana - who was fired over allegations of maladministration. In a statement, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) said that given Mgidlana's history at Parliament, the contract to conduct research should be cancelled. It has called on the Presiding Officers, led by National Assembly (NA) Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson Amos Masondo, to instruct the secretary to Parliament, Xolile George, to cancel the contract. Email exchanges indicate that Mgidlana's company, Afrocentric Markets Consultancy, was appointed to conduct research for Parliament. The company was appointed by the Legislature Support Services (LSS) on behalf of the South African Legislative Sector (SALS) to “deliver on the project of conducting benchmarking on the legal and policy framework that regulates cooperation national, provincial and local sphere of government,” emails read. Temba Gubula, Nehawu's secretary in Parliament, said the union believed the appointment of Mgidlana's company to do business with Parliament was irregular and unethical. "Mgidlana was dismissed for acts of very serious misconduct by Parliament, and that should have immediately disqualified him or his company from engaging in any sort of business with Parliament. In 2017, the union brought 13 allegations against Mgidlana, and in February 2018, the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing found him guilty on seven of the 13 charges, which included a charge of awarding himself a R71 000 ex-gratia bonus, which he didn't qualify for. In 2019, both the NCOP and NA unanimously resolved that he be fired," he said. Mgidlana was placed on voluntary special leave on 9 June 2017, after Nehawu levelled allegations of corruption against him. He faced charges relating to the breach of legislation on the financial management of Parliament and provincial legislatures, the breach of parliamentary policies as well as the breach of the National Road Traffic Act. On 1 February 2018, disciplinary charges were served on Mgidlana. A disciplinary hearing found Mgidlana guilty of seven of the 13 charges and, on 30 August 2019, the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing recommended his summary dismissal. Parliament's spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, told the Sunday Times that no appointment had been made. In an email to George, LSS sought a meeting to apprise him of Mgidlana's appointment. “Afrocentric Markets Consultancy has been appointed by the Legislature Support Services (LSS) on behalf of the South African Legislative Sector (SALS) to deliver on the project of conducting benchmarking on the legal and policy framework that regulates cooperation national, provincial and local sphere of government. We will approach your institution again in the next coming weeks to make arrangements to interview a sample of people relevant for this study. We will send you communication to this effect and liaise with you and your institution to get the relevant sample. We look forward to the cooperation of your institution,” the email read. Funded by the European Union, the LSS provides administrative support for the provincial legislatures, the Speakers' Forum of SA and other related structures. It also helps with liaison between the National Houses of Parliament and the nine provincial legislatures. Gubula accused Mgidlana of having a propensity to pervert due processes to achieve his personal desires. “It is still unclear why Parliament needed that service to be offered by a service provider when there are many unemployed graduates who can be employed to do that work on an ongoing basis. It is also unclear when the tender was advertised, how much the cost of the contract is, how many other companies submitted their bids, as well as details of members of management who sat on the committee that ...

Guest: EWN's Gaye Davis speaks to Mike about President Cyril Ramaphosa's address to both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces earlier today about the situation in KwaZulu-Natal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Sylvia Lucas from the African National Congress, who was formerly the Premier of the Northern Cape.  Firstly, she differentiates between the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) from the National Assembly, emphasising the NCOP's mandate to ensure provincial interests are taken into account. We discuss the nationwide review of the Women's Charter, which addressed aspects of equality, fighting violence against women and girls and the state of implementation of articles in the Women's Charter. Unfortunately, lack of implementation remains an ongoing concern. We discuss women in political leadership, remarking on the importance of pipeline processes to draw women through political structures and how the effects of patriarchy negatively impact on women's perceptions of each other. The Deputy Chairperson highlights an example of the under representation of female ward councillors, in part attributed to the fact that female voters voted for male candidates over female candidates, which illustrates a lack of confidence or belief in their abilities. We consider ways to help encourage women to pursue leadership roles, from support, to mentorship and recognition. Paraphrasing her grandmother the Deputy Chair reminds us that, “Flowers can grow in the ghetto”.  Tune in for more… DR. MALKAJoining us on the line today is the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms. Sylvia Elizabeth Lucas, from the African National Congress.  She was formally the Premier of the Northern Cape and she has served the African National Congress as well as the African National Congress's Women's League in various capacities, including the Provincial Working Committees.  Welcome to the show Deputy Chairperson!DC LUCASGood morning Dr. Amaleya and good morning also to your listeners and thank you very much for having me on the show.DR. MALKAYou know Deputy Chairperson, this is the first time that we have actually had an interview with someone from the National Council of Provinces and as I understand it, the NCOP is one of two houses of parliament, the other being the National Assembly.  A primary role of the NCOP is to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account within the national sphere of government; please can you tell us more about the NCOP?DC LUCASThe NCOP, as you have already said, is one of two houses of parliament.  The one issue that I have realised is that very people really have a clear understanding of the second house; the National Council of Provinces.  The National Council of Provinces in the make up thereof is made up of delegates or representatives from provinces to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national legislative process.  It does this mainly by participating in the national legislative process and by providing a national forum for public consideration of issues, particularly where it is affecting provinces.  You will find that there is some sections in the constitution that make provision for legislation and there is a specific section; Section 76, that is taking into account provincial interests into legislation and that is where the National Council of Provinces actually features.  The NCOP also coordinates and integrates and aligns across the spheres of government, because that remains a challenge.  In all our engagements we usually have special delegates from the provinces as well as organised local government.  Now how do we do it as the NOCP?  We usually have debates and recently we introduced a new form of engagement, what we call Ministerial Engagement or Ministerial Responses, to respond to the specific issues where just recently we had an issue around the looting, the crime system and gender based violence and we brought in the Minister of Police and other, the MEC's from provinces to respond to the safety issue,

The Auditor-General  Tsakani Maluleke, has painted a gloomy picture of municipalities whose audit outcomes remained poor. She was briefing the Select Committee on Appropriations and Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation and Human Settlements in the NCOP on the local government audit outcomes for the 2019/20 financial year.  Jay Kruuse, Director at Public Service Accountability Monitor gives us some analysis on this...

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, says the Covid-19 pandemic will most likely lead to more local government entities to become unavailable. She is today addressing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on the challenges and opportunities in local government. Our reporter Zalene Merrington gave us an update.

The Office of Deputy President David Mabuza, has confirmed that he will be available to answer oral questions from the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) today. This follows several postponed appearances, due ill-health.

The National Council of Provinces, with the exception of the Western Cape has adopted a report by the Gauteng department of COGTA to dissolve Tshwane Metro Council, under section 139: 1 C of the constitution. The NCOP has spent the past few days in Gauteng, deliberating on a number of issues, including the challenges that have emerged from Tshwane.

The Copyright Amendment Bill has been passed by the National Assembly and is now sitting with the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), which offered only five days in February for public submissions on the Bill. The NCOP is due to vote on the Bill TODAY (Wednesday 20 March 2019.) The band SATORI SOUTH AFRICA are among many artists that are concerned about the impact of the impending Bill. They say there is a need to update South Africa's outdated Copyright law and as artist they agree with the intentions of bringing copyright law up-to date with the digital age to protect the rights of artists and composers, but that the Bill in its current form is poorly drafted and will ultimately destroy the livelihoods of artist.

The Khoi and San communities have welcomed the adoption of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill by the National Council of Provinces. All provinces were in support of the bill except the DA-led province of the Western Cape. The bill provides for the recognition of traditional and Khoisan communities and makes provision for the establishment of Provincial Houses of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders, the establishment and composition of local houses of traditional and Khoi-San leaders as well as for the establishment and operation of a Commission on Khoi-San Matters. It is now up to President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign the bill into law.

Parties in Parliament have welcomed today's ruling by the high court in Cape Town which dismissed Afriforum's application to urgently halt next week's sitting of the National Assembly and the NCOP to start the process of amending Section 25 of the Constituin which deals with the expropriation of land without compensation. The lobby group went to court to argue that close to 180 000 written submissions were excluded from the process. It says it will pursue the matter because the court did not rule on the merits of its case. Parliament will proceed with the process to amend section 25 of the constitution next week. Our parliamentary correspondent Mercedes Bessent has more.

Social Development Minister, Susan Shabangu, has assured the NCOP's Select Committee on Social Services that the current social grant distributor, Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) will be history come the 1st of October. Shabangu, departmental officials and SASSA briefed the Select Committee on the department's budget and SASSA's progress to comply with the constitutional court order. The Minister also complained to committee members that CPS is continuing to confuse social grant beneficiaries. Our parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more...

Some Khoi and San groups have expressed mixed feelings about the recent passing of the Traditional and Khoisan Leadership Bill. The Khomani San in the Northern Cape welcomed the bill, while the Khoisan's Gorachoqua tribe in the Western Cape have rejected it. The Bill was passed in the National Assembly last week and was sent to the NCOP for concurrence. Mercedes Besent reports....

Gold worth more than seven billion rands is stolen and smuggled out of the country every year. This was revealed by Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources Godfrey Oliphant who was addressing the NCOP during a debate on illegal mining in the country. Our Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more...........

Parliament is back in full swing from today (Tuesday 16th August) as MPs are returning from the ten-week constituency period following the local government elections. The NCOP will hold a debate about Women's Day this week, while the National Assembly Rules Committee is meeting this afternoon to finalise some of the guidelines on the rules. Our Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more

Parliament is back in full swing from today as MPs are returning from the ten-week constituency period following the local government elections. The NCOP will hold a debate about Women's Day this week, while the National Assembly Rules Committee is meeting this afternoon to finalise some of the guidelines on the rules. Our Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more...

The National Council of Provinces has passed the Expropriation Bill with the support of all provinces except the Western Cape. One of the objectives of the bill is to give the Public Works Minister the power to expropriate property on behalf on an organ of state if it is deemed in the Public interest. Just and equitable compensation will be key, before any property can be expropriated. Our Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more

National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete says parliament respects and appreciates the guidance which the Constitutional Court has given the National Assembly on how to deal with reports by Chapter Nine Institutions. Mbete, who was accompanied by NCOP chairperson Thandi Modise, briefed the media in Parliament on the implications of the Constitutional Court ruling on the Public Protector's report on Nkandla. Our Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more

Parliament's presiding officers have come out in defence of police action against striking NEHAWU members. Speaker Baleka Mbete and NCOP chair Thandi Modise said they had to act when the work of parliament was being hindered. They were both addressing the Cape Town Press Club. Joseph Mosia reports...

Secretary to the National Assembly, Masibulele Xaso, says no member of parliament is allowed to speak or rise on a point of order during the State of the Nation Address, unless prior permission has been granted. Xaso, together with parliamentary legal advisors and the Secretary to the NCOP, held a workshop with the parliamentary media yesterday, on how rules are applied during joint sittings... Sakina Kamwendo speaks to Mr Xaso...