ANC national executive committee member, Thoko Didiza, was elected as the new Speaker of the National Assembly.
Didiza, who, until Friday, served as the Minister of Agriculture,
Land Reform and Rural Development. She was nominated by the party’s outgoing
chief whip, Pemmy Majodina.
Didiza came up against the EFF’s national chairperson
Veronica Mente, Didiza received 284 votes, while Mente received only 49.
Didiza commended Members of Parliament from across the
political divide for supporting her nomination, as the new government of
national unity starts to take shape, and for participating in the democratic
process of electing the Speaker.
“As a country and a democratic State, we have an
opportunity to express our views, representing our constituencies, and we have
to elect and participate in such process.’’
She emphasised that Parliament is an important institution
of the country, where members have to pass laws and ensure that they play an oversight
role on the Executive.
“I also commit that I will work with all the parties, led
by their whips and representatives to make sure that we conduct the business of
this parliament in a manner that indeed reflects the will of the people of
South Africa,” Didiza said.
Didiza presided over the election of her Deputy, which was
contested by African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader, Vuyolwethu Zungula,
and the Democratic Alliance's Annelie Lotriet. She received 273 votes, and
Zungula received 54 votes.
Done By: Mitchum George
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