Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula – Speaker of the National Assembly
At a recent sitting, the National Assembly (NA) elected a new Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, writes Abel Mputing. Previous Speaker Ms Thandi Modise recently became the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans in a Cabinet reshuffle.
Two nominations for the position of Speaker emerged. Ms MapisaNqakula was suggested from by the Chief Whip of the African National Congress (ANC), Ms Pammy Majodina, while Dr Annelie Lotriet was suggested by the Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance, Ms Natasha Mazzone. This necessitated a secret ballot, as stipulated in item 6 (A) of Schedule 3 of the Constitution. After voting, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula emerged victorious with 199 votes out of 298 votes. In her acceptance remarks, Ms Mapisa-Nqakula stated that an open voting process had once again demonstrated the open and vibrant nature of our democratic order. “It’s this open and democratic process upon which our parliamentary democracy was founded,” she said. She vowed that she would ensure that Parliament’s mandate would not be comprised for narrow party political ends. “I will ensure that Parliament remains the last line of defence of our democracy … I make it my responsibility to ensure that Parliament exercises robust accountability and oversight over the executive.” She pointed out that Covid-19 has determined how Parliament must operate going forward. “It’s important to find new ways of carrying our mandate under these new and challenging circumstances,” she emphasised. Ms Mapisa-Nqakula reiterated her pledge: “I will do all in my power to protect the mandate and integrity of this House.” She concluded: “I will use my tenure to forge greater cooperation among all political parties present in this House and, as its leader, I am committed fully to the provisions and the tenets of the prescripts of its founding document which is our Constitution.”
The role of the Speaker
The Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) is elected to and removed from office according to Section 52 of the Constitution. According to this section: • The NA must elect the Speaker from its members during the first House sitting • The House may remove the Speaker by resolution • The House must fill the position when it becomes vacant during term • Chief Justice must preside over the election of the Speaker.
The mandate of the Speaker
The Speaker’s mandate is twofold. It is constitutional and institutional. This mandate is furthermore dual at the NA and Parliamentary level. In both situations, it involves interacting with the following sectors of the global community: