The African National Congress (ANC) caucus in Parliament says former Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, will bring a wealth of experience to the institution.
Mapisa-Nqakula has been nominated by the caucus as Speaker-elect. The nomination follows the selection by President Cyril Ramaphosa of National Assembly Speaker, Thandi Modise to replace Mapisa-Nqakula as Defence Minister.
President Ramaphosa made changes to his cabinet last week.
Caucus spokesperson, Nomfanelo Kota, says Mapisa-Nqakula has vast experience.
“As former chief whip in parly 2001 and deputy chairperson of ANC political committee as well as chair of joint comm of intel, former minister Mapisa-Nqakula, brings a formidable wealth of experience to the new position with a solid track record as legislature and policymaker spanning over a number of years. caucus welcomes her nomination and candidature as Speaker-Elect.”
Meanwhile, some opposition parties in Parliament have expressed their disappointment at the nomination of Mapisa-Nqakula as Speaker-Elect.
Freedom Front Plus leader, Pieter Groenewald and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) chief whip, Steve Swart, say Mapisa-Nqakula is not the right person for the job.
“The FF Plus will not support the nomination of Mapisa-Nqakula as a speaker, because of no experience not even as house chair. There are many other house chairs with more experience, and who are on merit, better candidates,” says Groenewald.
“The ACDP doesn’t believe that Ms Mapisa-Nqakula is the best person to be speaker, given recent lapses as Minister of Defence. This position requires firmness to ensure order in the house, to make sure parliament keeps the executive to account,” adds Swart.
Swearing in on Tuesday
President Ramaphosa and acting chief justice Raymond Zondo are expected to preside over the swearing ceremony of the former National Assembly Speaker, Thandi Modise and Thembi Nkadimeng as Deputy Minister of COGTA later on Tuesday.
Modise replaces Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. 61-year-old Modise has served as Speaker of the National Assembly since 2019 and previously held the positions of Premier of the North West and the ANC’s Deputy Secretary-General.
Whilst Nkadimeng who was the President of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) replaces Obed Bapela. At 48, she is one of the youngest members of Ramaphosa’s executive.
Last week, Zondo sworn in the newly-appointed ministers and deputy ministers announced by the President in his cabinet reshuffle on Thursday night.
The atmosphere was jovial as the new ministers and deputy ministers were sworn in on Friday morning at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
In the video below, is the swearing-in of new cabinet ministers:
