Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
This year’s memorable moments that made us tune into Parliament
PARLIAMENT has become very popular with viewers in the last couple of years. As the year comes to an end we take a look at some of the memorable moments.
Opposition parties made it a routine to walk out of proceedings when they did not agree with what was taking place.
The EFF began the tradition during the State of the Nation address earlier this year, making good on their promise from the previous year when they said they would not allow Zuma to deliver his speech.
Matters escalated when Parliament’s security details started being called into the house to remove EFF MPs.
In May, officials were called in twice when the EFF stated they would not be addressed by Zuma the “criminal”.
Both times, fists, hard bottles and hard hats flew as officials dragged MPs out.
In September, after months of getting backlash from opposition parties, President Zuma finally paid back R7.8 million for non-essential upgrades to his Nkandla home, in accordance with remedial actions by former public protector Thuli Madosela. The payment came after the Constitutional Court ruled Parliament acted inconsistently with the constitution in not ensuring compliance.
Over R249m was spent on security upgrades to the president’s home in 2009.
New words such as Zupta and “sleepist” were created this year, as members of the EFF continued to clash with ANC MPs.
The word “sleepist” was born in April when EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi stood up to point out International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane had fallen asleep during a sitting. Ndlozi leapt to his feet on a point of order.
“I am worried that this Member of Parliament that we pay so much money to is sleeping… we are busy debating and she is sleeping on the job,” he shouted. “You are a sleepist!” President Zuma also became a “sleepist” when he fell asleep during Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan’s Mid-Term Budget speech.
The EFF were also at the forefront of forming the words “Zupta” to describe President Zuma in reference to his close relationship with the Gupta family.
The DA’s Denise Robinson came up with a new name to describe Zuma when, during her speech for 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, Robinson referred to the President as JZ783. This was in reference to the corruption charges Zuma faced that the National Prosecuting Authority withdrew back in 2009.
This year, Zuma survived two motions of no confidence votes against him in a space of just eight months.
The first in March was tabled by the DA in response to what was termed NeneGate scandal where Zuma fired former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene and replaced him with then unknown Des van Rooyen, who was on the job for a few days before being replaced by Gordhan.
And in November the DA’s second attempt for the year to have Zuma removed from office over the State Capture was released.
Known for being a stern adjudicator during proceedings in the house, with her infamous “I do not recognise you” expression, Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete blushed when Ndlozi congratulated her on her nuptials to businessman Nape Khomo.
Rising for “urgent motion” Ndlozi went on to say: “On behalf of the EFF, we wish to congratulate you on your new marriage. We believe in love and celebrate those who found love.”