CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 14: Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Thandi Modise during the 2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate at the National Assembly on February 14, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Political parties debated President Jacob Zuma’s SONA which was marred by chaos, violence and insults. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Jaco Marais)
Parliament: National Assembly speaker to be elected next week
The ANC caucus has nominated former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to replace Thandi Modise as parliamentary speaker
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 14: Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Thandi Modise during the 2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate at the National Assembly on February 14, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Political parties debated President Jacob Zuma’s SONA which was marred by chaos, violence and insults. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Jaco Marais)
It seems Parliament is getting the ball rolling in appointing a new speaker to replace Thandi Modise. Proceedings to elect someone who will preside over the National Assembly have been scheduled to get underway on Thursday, 19 August.
All indications are that former Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will be occupying the seat Modise left vacant. This after the ANC caucus announced it was nominating her for the post.
“As a former chief whip of the majority party in Parliament in 2001 as well as deputy chairperson of the ANC political committee as well as the chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, former minister Mapisa-Nqakula brings a formidable wealth of experience to the new position, with a solid track record as a legislator and policymaker spanning over a number of years,” said acting caucus chairperson Nomfanelo Kota at the time.
Criticism towards Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s nomination
The ANC holds 230 of the 400 seats, which means the post is basically hers, even if the opposition vote against it. Mapisa-Nqakula has come under fierce criticism over how she has performed in Cabinet, particularly in her last portfolio.
The vote is set to be held via secret ballot, which means the election might not go as planned. Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is expected to preside over those proceedings. Not everyone is pleased with plans to appoint Mapisa-Nqakula – the Democratic Alliance (DA) plans to vote against it.
“While the ANC seeks to give a glowing account of Mapisa-Nqakula’s tenure in government, the reality is that there is nothing to celebrate. She is not fit to lead Parliament as she does not espouse the principles of accountability and transparency required to lead the institution. This nomination is just an example of the ANC recycling an underperforming Minister,” the party’s Chief Whip Natasha Mazzone said.
