By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Minister of Defence and Military Veterans,Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been elected as the new Speaker of the National Assembly.
The National Assembly held a plenary sitting in Parliament to elect a new Speaker on Thursday.
The proceedings saw Members of Parliament (MPs) vote by a secret ballot following the nomination of two candidates.
She was elected by 199 MPs, beating DA candidate Annelie Lotriet who received 82 votes.
Mapisa-Nqakula becomes the sixth speaker of the assembly since SA’s democratic dispensation.
She effectively swapped positions with her predecessor Thandi Modise who was appointed the new minister of defence two weeks ago.
Bound to raise eyebrows are the 17 spoilt ballots, suspected to be from disapproving ANC MPs.
Mapisa-Nqakula was nominated by ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina. The nomination was seconded by ANC MP Lindiwe Zulu who is also minister for social development. Zulu said she was seconding the nomination “in the spirit of South African women”.
Lotriet was nominated by DA chief whip Natasha Mazzone and her nomination was seconded by DA leader John Steenhuisen.
Thursday’s vote was the first time since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic that parliament held a full sitting where all MPs attended physically.
A total of 298 votes were cast.
In terms of the Rules of the House, the National Assembly Speaker has the responsibility of providing political leadership and strategic direction to the National Assembly and to exercise impartiality in carrying out these duties.
The National Assembly, as the Constitution specifies, is elected to represent the people and to ensure government by the people under the Constitution.
The National Assembly does this by choosing the President, by providing a national forum for public consideration of issues, by passing legislation and by scrutinising and overseeing executive action.
The Speaker may also become Acting President, in terms of the Constitution. This may happen if the President is out of the country or is otherwise unable to fulfil the duties of President.