President Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected last night in the National Assembly, sitting at the CTICC, after a marathon day which saw around 340 MPs sworn in, the election of the new Speaker, Thoko Didiza and the election of the President.
Proceedings run until midnight at Parliament, with Ramaphosa eventually getting 283 of the votes from MPs.
EFF leader Julius Malema was also nominated for President, but he only received 44 votes.
It comes amid an agreement of intent that was signed between the ANC, DA and IFP. The DA supported Didiza and Ramaphosa’s nomination, while the ANC supported the DA’s nomination for Deputy Speaker, Dr. Annelie Lotriet.
The agreement will entail that the DA receives several Cabinet positions, and play a large role in Parliamentary oversight.
Cabinet positions will be announced in due course. The President is due to be officially inaugurated at the Union Buildings on 19 June.
20:42 – We are now in the final stretch of proceedings.
Newly appointed ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli nominates Cyril Ramaphosa for President of the Republic. IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa seconds the nomination.
UDM MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa nominates Julius Malema to contest for President.
Friday 14 June 20:30 – The DA’s Annelie Lotriet has been elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
She received 273 votes, against the 54 votes received by the ATM’s Vuyo Zungula.
Friday 14 June 16:50 – Thoko Didiza has won the election of Speaker by 284 votes to the 49 that the EFF’s Veronica Mente received.
The next order of business is the nomination and election of Deputy Speaker – which the new Speaker will preside over.
The two nominees are the ATM’s Vuyo Zungula and the DA’s Annelie Lotriet.
The National Assembly is now busy with the nomination and voting process for the position of National Assembly Deputy Speaker. Mr Floyd Shivambu has nominated Mr Vuyo Zungula and Ms Siviwe Gwarube has nominated Dr Annelie Lotriet. #7thParliament #FirstSitting #30YearsofDemocracy… pic.twitter.com/Hdu38n1stN
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) June 14, 2024
"I also commit that I will work with all the parties 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. Thank you very much for this honour," Speaker of the National Assembly Ms Thoko Didiza… pic.twitter.com/q6jU0YGWsP
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) June 14, 2024
Friday 14 June 16:30 – ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the majority of parties represented in Parliament have agreed to form a government of national unity (GNU).
He confirmed they have signed with the DA, with more parties to follow.
[MEDIA STATEMENT] The GNU parties are expected to adopted a ‘Statement of Intent of the 2024 Government of National Unity’, which outlines foundational principles, a basic minimum programme of priorities, and modalities of the GNU.
The Statement of Intent will be a public… pic.twitter.com/qQ1MnQwgqq
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) June 14, 2024
Friday 14 June 15:25 – The EFF protested against the process that will unfold of counting the votes for Speaker. They demanded that the votes be counted in full view of all MPs.
But the Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has been explaining the rules to MPs, saying the ballot boxes need to be removed from the Chamber, and no person other than the returning officers may be present in the room when the votes are counted.
The EFF is adament that there must be observers to the counting process. Zondo agrees to a limited amount of time for discussion on the rules.
DA Chief Whip Siviwe Gwarube points out that these rules were set up on 27 May and it was distributed to all MPs. If there was a disagreement, MPs should have raised their issues then.
EFF Leader Julius Malema says no-one has anything to lose if there are observers that monitor the counting.
Zondo says he is inclined to agree that there should be one party representative present from each party for the counting process, which will now commence. He has made the ruling. He further states no cell phones will be allowed.
Friday 14 June 14:00 – The voting for the Speaker is now underway. MPs are called up in batches and walking to the centre of the National Assembly Chamber where they are casting their secret ballot in the special booths.
Following the DA’s announcement that they have come to an agreement with the ANC to form a government, it seems a certainty that the ANC’s Thoko Didiza will take up the Speaker position.
It’s being reported that the DA will field a candidate for Deputy Speaker, which will in turn be supported by the ANC. The process to elect a Deputy Speaker will unfold after the conclusion of the election of the Speaker.
Incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to to be re-elected later this afternoon.
The National Assembly is preparing to vote for the two nominees for the position of Speaker. The ANC’s Thoko Didiza and the EFF’s Veronica Mente are the nominees.
The National Assembly Chamber is now being prepared for voting for the two nominees for the position of Speaker of the National Assembly. #7thParliament #FirstSitting #30YearsofDemocraticParliament #30YearsofDemocracy pic.twitter.com/3w9DW9Hq4c
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) June 14, 2024
Friday 14 June 13:30 – DA leader John Steenhuisen has announced that the DA has reached agreement on the statement of intent for the formation of a Government of National Unity.
“Following the signing of this document by the leaders of the respective parties involved – including the DA, the IFP and the ANC – the DA will now enter national government, as well as provincial government in the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.”
“In terms of the agreement, the DA will assume various leadership roles in the national Cabinet, the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces, and on parliamentary portfolio committees, broadly in proportion to our share of seats within the GNU.” – @jsteenhuisen…
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) June 14, 2024
Friday 14 June 12:23 – The ANC has nominated Thoko Didiza as the Speaker of Parliament. She has accepted the nomination.
ANC MP Pemmy Majodina nominated Didiza, while Supra Mahumapelo seconded her nomination.
The EFF’s Veronica Mente has also been nominated. She has accepted the nomination.
Interestingly, ATM President Vuyo Zungula nominated Mente. UDM President Bantu Holomisa seconded the nomination.
An election will now take place.
Friday 14 June 12:00 – The DA has announced it will brief the nation at 13:15 about the outcome of the negotiations to form a government.
The DA has reportedly reached a framework agreement to form a government of national unity. The agreement will include the IFP.
News24 reports the document was signed by party representatives during a break of the first sitting of the National Assembly.
🚨 Today at 13h15, tune in as DA Leader John Steenhuisen addresses the nation following post-election negotiations towards the formation of government during the first sitting of Parliament.
Watch it live on the DA’s Facebook and YouTube pages: https://t.co/JpKC27gULA pic.twitter.com/VOM09GMqRj
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) June 14, 2024
Friday 14 June 11:50 – All the MPs have now been sworn in, except the 58 MK Party MPs, and Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has called for nominations from the floor for the position of Speaker.
The EFF’s Floyd Shivambu has however requested for a 30 minute break so the party can caucus and consolidate their position. EFF last night said they would nominate one of its MPs for the position of Speaker.
Zondo has allowed a ”comfort break” of 15 minutes, after which the election of the Speaker will commence.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is now presiding over the swearing-in of the Members of the National Assembly.
The MP’s are being called in batches of ten to take the oath or affirmation.
Proceedings kicked off at 10:00.
FIRST SITTING OF THE NA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: 14 JUNE 2024, https://t.co/vDTPDC5ziJ
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) June 14, 2024
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is now presiding over the swearing-in of the Members of the National Assembly. #7thParliament #FirstSitting #30YearsofDemocracy #30YearsofDemocraticParliament pic.twitter.com/uoQ4Vw1rMB
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) June 14, 2024
Friday 14 June 07:00 – Here is a brief rundown of what to expect during the first sitting of the 7th Parliament today:
The sitting is expected to start at 10:00. The first order of business is the swearing in of MPs with Chief Justice Raymond Zondo presiding.
Members will be called in groups of 10 and asked to read out an oath of affirmation.
There are a total of 400 MPs that could be inuagurated today, but as it is unclear whether any MK Party candidates will show up, there may only be 342 MPs that will be sworn in today.
However, Parliament has indicated MK Party MPs can be sworn in at a later date, should they decide to boycott proceedings.
Once all the MPs in attendance are sworn in, Zondo will call for nominations for the election of Speaker.
Its expected to be a hotly contested position. The DA is said to have lobbied hard for this position, while the EFF has also set an ultimatum that it wants its candidate to become Speaker, or they will not support Cyril Ramaphosa’s nomination for President.
Once the Speaker is elected he or she will preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker position. When that is concluded the Speaker will hand back the reigns to the Chief justice, who will preside over the election of the President.
In the somewhat unlikely event that these elections result in two candidates earning the same amount of votes, Zondo must adjourn the gathering and reconvene within seven days.
Friday 14 June 06:00 – There is still no clarity on whether political parties have managed to agree to a Government of National Unity, as the first sitting of the 7th Parliament takes place on Friday.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula briefed the media last night, following a special NEC meeting in Cape Town Thursday.
Talks and negotiations continued overnight.
While Mbalula didn’t reveal anything about the ongoing talks, he emphasised the electorate have spoken and they want political parties to work together.
It is widely expected that a coalition government will be formed between the ANC-DA-IFP, with other minority parties that could also form part of an agreement.
Meanwhile, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure says lawlessness will not be tolerated during the first sitting of the National Assembly today.
Natjoints yesterday concluded a security state of readiness walkabout at the CTICC precinct.
The Co-Chairperson of Natjoints General Tebello Mosikilli says tight security measures are in place. She adds while peaceful protests are protected, these too need to be lawful.
REMINDER: Road Closures for first sitting of Parliament
Parliament will have four items on the agenda today: the swearing in of MPs, the election of a Speaker, a Deputy Speaker and the President.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to be re-elected as President, but the question is whether marathon negotiations have resulted in a broad agreement about who will be elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
If more than one candidate for these positions is nominated, voting will take place by secret ballot.
READ MORE: What to expect during the first sitting of Parliament
A guide to the stages of the establishment of the 7th Parliament. #7thParliament #FirstSitting #30YearsofDemocraticParliament #30YearsofDemocracy pic.twitter.com/EawngIMZz2
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) June 13, 2024
