david mabuza lockdown NCCC

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President David Mabuza

Mabuza appointed head of Government Business: Here’s what his new role entails

More responsibilities for the deputy president.

david mabuza lockdown NCCC

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President David Mabuza

President Cyril Ramaphosa has given his second-in-command, David Mabuza, more responsibility after he notified Parliament of his decision to appoint the deputy president as the Leader of Government Business.

As reported by EWN, the appointment was acknowledged by National Assembly Speaker, Thandi Modise.

Why did Ramaphosa appoint David Mabuza?

More than anything, the appointment is a formality since David Mabuza is Ramaphosa’s deputy. Still, this is a long way from the speculation that rang loud about Mabuza’s future when he postponed his attendance to the swearing-in of Members of Parliament in May.

All of this seems to have been put behind him and Mabuza is set to take on the role as Ramaphosa’s Hand in the national legislature.

What will David Mabuza’s new role entail?

According to the information detailed on Parliament’s website, David Mabuza will oversee the following duties:

  • the affairs of the national executive in Parliament;
  • programming of parliamentary business;
  • ensuring Cabinet members attend to their parliamentary responsibilities; and
  • performing all functions provided for by the Joint Rules or a resolution of the National Assembly or the National Council of Provinces or resolutions adopted in both Houses.

Other duties

It will be David Mabuza’s duty to ensure that everything listed in Ramaphosa’s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA 2019) is actionable and prioritised accordingly.

He will also have to “assist the Executive to monitor the progress of implementation, as well as assist Parliament in finalising the annual programme and scheduling the work of Committees accordingly.”

Who is the parliamentary councillor?

In another development, National Assembly Speaker, Modise, confirmed that the president has also decided to retain the services of Dr Gerhard Koornhof as the parliamentary councillor.

Koornhof will, essentially, be the eyes and ears of the president, keeping him in the loop of all developments that occur from both Houses of Parliament.