South Africa’s new Parliamentary members sworn in

By Mishkah Anthony
6 May 2009

Today marks one of the most important days on South Africa’s democratic calendar with Parliament’s National Assembly meeting for the first time to swear in its 400 new members, to elect its Presiding Officers and to elect South Africa’s third democratic President.

After this year’s general election, 12 political parties will be represented in Parliament’s National Assembly.

With the African National Congress occupying 264 seats, Democratic Alliance 67, Congress of the People 30, Inkatha Freedom Party 18, Freedom Front Plus 4, Independent Democrats 4, United Democratic Movement 4, African Christian Democratic Party 3, United Christian Democratic Party 2, African People’s Convention 1, Azanian People’s Organisation 1, Minority Front 1, Pan Africanist Congress of Azanian 1.

The Members of Parliament being sworn in today took an oath to affirm their responsibility to Parliament and the country.

“I… swear/ solemnly affirm that I will be faithful to the: Republic of South Africa and will obey, respect and uphold the Constitution and all other law of the Republic, and I solemnly promise to perform my functions as a member of the National Assembly to the best of my ability.”