Race on to elect new National Assembly Speaker

The African National Congress (ANC) says it will announce its preferred candidate to take over as National Assembly Speaker next week.

This follows the appointment of the incumbent Thandi Modise as Defence and Military Veterans Minister on Thursday night.

The majority party has enough votes to elect its own candidate, but if any opposition party nominates another candidate, the election of the new Speaker will be decided on a vote.

In the interim, Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli will act as the Speaker.

In the video below, President Cyril Ramaphosa reshuffles National Cabinet:

The election of the Speaker will be presided over by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng or any other delegated judge.

Parliament Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says, “The date for the new Speaker of the house will be determined through consultation in parliament, in conjuction with Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa.”

Should there be more than one nominee for the position of the Speaker, there will be a vote by secret ballot.

Casac Executive Secretary Lawson Naidoo says, “If there’s more than one candidate for the position of the Speaker, a vote will be held by secret ballot to determine the successful candidate.”

The ANC says its preferred candidate will be announced next week, and the opposition parties also waiting in anticipation.

Meanwhile, committees whose chairpersons have been appointed in the Cabinet will also have to elect acting chairpersons before permanent chairpersons are elected.