For a soundbite of the Parliament Spokesperson, Mr Moloto Mothapo, on this statement, please click here: https://iono.fm/e/1631317
Parliament, Wednesday, 31 December 2025 – The work undertaken in 2025 marks a decisive phase in Parliament’s ongoing efforts to rebuild institutional capacity, strengthen accountability and modernise its operations in line with the evolving needs of South Africans.
Despite fiscal pressures and the continued restoration of the Parliamentary Precinct, Parliament delivered a year of focused, measurable and impactful performance across its constitutional mandates of law-making, oversight, public participation and international engagement.
Throughout the year, Parliament demonstrated its resolve to strengthen democratic governance, advance ethical leadership and deliver legislative and oversight interventions that directly affect the lives of South Africans.
Strengthened Oversight and Accountability
Oversight remained a central pillar of Parliament’s work in 2025, reflecting its constitutional responsibility to hold the Executive and organs of state accountable. During the year, parliamentary committees undertook 57 oversight visits and held 37 public hearings, while 119 debates were conducted across both Houses on critical national priorities, including unemployment, energy security, education reform, governance failures and economic recovery.
Parliament’s use of questions to the Executive remained a key accountability mechanism. In the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), 1,336 questions were posed to the Executive, comprising 1,168 written and 168 oral questions. In the National Assembly (NA), Members addressed 7,987 questions, of which 7,432 were written and 555 oral.
These engagements enabled Members to interrogate policy implementation, assess service delivery performance and scrutinise the use of public resources.
Parliament further demonstrated its commitment to clean, ethical and accountable governance through robust oversight interventions, including the ongoing Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) inquiry into the Road Accident Fund, and the work of the Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner of the police services. These processes reaffirm Parliament’s constitutional duty to confront governance failures, demand corrective action and safeguard the public interest.
The NCOP processed four Section 139 interventions, approving three and disapproving one, as part of its ongoing commitment to cooperative governance. It also considered 35 oversight reports arising from Provincial Week, Local Government Week and targeted follow-up visits, ensuring that provincial and municipal challenges received national attention.
One of the key institutional milestones of the year was the adoption of new rules establishing a dedicated oversight committee on the Presidency, approved by the NA on 2 December. This reform enhances scrutiny of Vote 1: The Presidency and reinforces existing oversight mechanisms to ensure robust accountability over executive authority.
In total, 1,125 committee meetings and 73 oversight visits that were conducted across the country enabled Members to scrutinise policy implementation, assess service delivery on the ground, and hold departments and public entities accountable, ensuring that parliamentary oversight translated into practical interventions aimed at improving governance and the lives of South Africans.
Law-Making and Public Participation
Parliament maintained a strong legislative programme throughout 2025. A total of 28 Bills were introduced, and nine Bills were passed by both Houses, with five Bills assented to by the President during the year. Once fully enacted, these laws will strengthen governance, improve fiscal management and expand social protection.
Key legislation processed includes the Older Persons Amendment Bill, which strengthens protections for vulnerable senior citizens; the Economic Regulation of Transport Bill, aimed at improving fairness and efficiency in the transport sector; and the Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill, supporting the stabilisation of the country’s electricity supply to protect economic growth and service delivery.
Between January and November, the NA convened 120 plenaries, including physical, hybrid and joint sittings, while the NCOP held 48 sittings, reflecting sustained legislative momentum despite operational constraints.
Meaningful public participation remained central to Parliament’s work in 2025, reinforcing the principle that laws and oversight processes must be shaped by the voices of the people. Parliamentary committees convened 48 public hearings, enabling communities and stakeholders to contribute directly to parliamentary decision-making.
The processing of more than 7,000 public submissions on the Tobacco Bill demonstrated growing public engagement with parliamentary processes and Parliament’s commitment to ensuring that legislation reflects the lived experiences of South Africans.
A Strong Voice on the Global Stage
In 2025, Parliament strengthened South Africa’s parliamentary diplomacy through active participation in multilateral platforms. Parliament successfully hosted the 11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20), together with the P20 Women and Youth Parliamentarians Forums, as well as the 58th Plenary Assembly of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF).
International engagements also included participation in the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, the 57th SADC PF Plenary, and the 150th and 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union Assemblies, where South Africa co-drafted resolutions on peacebuilding, digital transformation, responsible technology governance and the Two-State Solution.
These engagements positioned Parliament as a constructive contributor to global dialogue on democracy, development and human rights.
Rebuilding Parliament
Steady progress continues in the rebuilding and restoration of the Parliamentary Precinct.
Construction on the National Assembly and Old Assembly is underway following the completion of demolition and site-clearing work, with the project remaining on track for completion by December 2026.
In parallel, Parliament completed additional offices, workstations and committee rooms to support its operational needs. The project continues to deliver socio-economic benefits through the participation of small, medium and micro enterprises, as well as work-integrated learning and skills development opportunities for young people.
The Year Ahead
Looking ahead to 2026, key activities include:
Conclusion
The Presiding Officers affirm that the institution has met the moment with resilience, purpose and renewed determination. With oversight deepening, law-making advancing, public participation expanding and institutional renewal firmly underway, Parliament enters 2026 as a stronger, more responsive institution, committed to serving the people of South Africa and deepening democracy.
As we enter 2026, the Presiding Officers wish all South Africans a happy and prosperous New Year. As many return from their holidays and travel back to their places of work, we urge everyone to drive responsibly and with care, so that all may arrive home safely. May the year ahead bring renewed hope, unity and opportunity, as we continue working together to build a just, inclusive and resilient nation.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo, Parliament Spokesperson