Faizel Patel – 19/08/2021
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has officially been voted as the new Speaker of the National Assembly.
Nqakula received 199 votes while Democratic Alliance nominee Annelie Lotriet received 82 votes.
The vacancy for speaker was created when former Speaker Thandi Modise was appointed Defence Minister by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this month during a cabinet reshuffle.
Mapisa-Nqakula said all branches of the state should work together in addressing the nation’s problems.
She says Parliament’s role is to ensure accountability and oversight, fostering cooperation between parties and that she will serve the interest of all parties.
“I am particularly emotional today having been nominated for this position. I also felt great pride as a member of this house and as a South African observing this moment. It is upon this foundation that Parliament has stood. All our people represented here in this Parliament should always feel comfortable that all their interest will have due consideration here.”
There was fierce opposition to Mapisa-Nqakula’s nomination as Speaker, including a legal challenge by Freedom Under Law.
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