Picture: A National Assembly in process
By OBAKENG MAJE
The secretary to the national parliament, Xolile George, who received the lists of designated National Assembly members, applauded the Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo for managing the delicate constitutional process with precision and integrity, arranging this significant occasion seamlessly.
Zondo handed over the lists of designated National Assembly members to George on 6 June 2024.
George said Zondo’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the smooth transition of power is commendable. He further extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
George added that conducting free and fair elections is no small feat, and IEC has done so with unparalleled excellence.
“Your world-class systems have empowered millions of South Africans to express their democratic choices. It is through your tireless efforts that our citizens could vote with confidence, knowing their voices would be heard and their decisions respected.
“Your commitment to transparency, efficiency, and fairness has once again reinforced the integrity of our electoral process. I offer my deepest gratitude to the over 16 million eligible voters who participated in these elections,” he said.
George said despite facing challenging weather conditions at times, the voters demonstrated remarkable patience and resilience. He said their participation in this highly contested and historic election – marking the 30th anniversary of the constitutional democracy – is a testament to your commitment to shaping the future of our nation.
“Your decisions have determined who will represent you in Parliament, and it is now our responsibility to ensure that the new Parliament carries your aspirations and hopes for a better future.
“At the end of the 6th parliamentary term, a notable 45% of the National Assembly’s MPs were women, totalling 181 female representatives. This strong presence of women was evident from the beginning of the term when 179 women were sworn in as members of the National Assembly,” said George.
He said throughout this period, the Parliament consistently ranked within the top 10 of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) rankings for world parliaments with the highest representation of women, underscoring our commitment to gender equality and inclusive governance.
George said while the list that they received might still change at some stage consistent with the laws and procedures, their initial assessment indicated that in this list, female representation experienced a slight decline, dropping from 45% in 2019 to approximately 43.5%, with a total of 174 elected members, who are women.
He said despite this decrease, the National Assembly remains dedicated to advancing gender parity and continues to be a significant player on the global stage for its efforts in promoting women’s representation in politics.
“It is also worth noting that this National Assembly list boasts a significant representation of young people, with nearly 50% of its members falling within the 20 to 50-year age cohort.
“This demographic shift is a positive development, aligning the assembly more closely with the population where young people form the majority. Such a youthful composition is expected to bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a dynamic approach to addressing the challenges and aspirations of society,” said George.
He said this will ensure that the legislative body remains attuned to the needs and ambitions of the younger generation. George said as they move forward from this pivotal moment, it is essential to outline the administrative process that will follow this handover.
“Once the Chief Justice has determined the date of the first sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), we will activate all necessary arrangements.
“This entails ensuring that elected members are received from various parts of the country, that they are onboarded efficiently, their details captured accurately, and they are adequately prepared for the first sittings,” he said.
George said this comprehensive onboarding process includes orientation sessions to familiarise new members with parliamentary procedures, protocols, and their roles and responsibilities.
He said they have a well-coordinated plan in place to facilitate the smooth transition of new members into their parliamentary roles.
The Guardian 