Johnathan Paoli
Parliamentary Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said on Sunday the Opening of Parliament Address – marking the new term – will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and that new Members of Parliament (MP) will undergo orientation in July.
“The OPA is an important ceremony in the form of a joint sitting of the two Houses that marks the official opening, and held after elections to announce the new administration’s plans and to mark the beginning of the new parliamentary term,” Mothapo said.
Mothapo said among the activities that will unfold this week are the Rules Committees of the National Assembly (NA) and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) meetings.
The committees will establish the structures necessary for the NA and the NCOP to function and will decide on the constitution of the two houses’ respective committees, the formula for whips, speaking time during debates, and the number of members that will serve on a committee.
“The formula for whips is a strategic determination that influences the dynamic of parliamentary proceedings, while the setting of speaking times is crucial for maintaining order and decorum in the houses and ensuring that discussions are productive and focused,” Mothapo said.
Mothapo said following the establishment of the structures, the Joint Programming Committee will convene to deliberate on the parliamentary programme, which is expected to outline the schedule and priorities for parliamentary activities, ensuring a structured and efficient approach to legislative and oversight responsibilities.
“The Joint Programming Committee plays a vital role in laying the groundwork for a productive legislative session as it is responsible for drawing up a programme for the first term of the new parliament,” he said.
Mothapo said that newly-elected MPs will undergo a structured orientation programme from 2 to 5 July to induct them into their new roles, which will cover a wide range of topics, including an introduction to the core business of Parliament, the roles and responsibilities of members and office bearers, an overview of MPs’ ethics and disclosures, the rules guiding the operations of each house, and those that guide joint sittings.
“Following the success of the first sittings of the two Houses, the 7th parliamentary administration is ready to take the reins and ensure that parliament fulfils its constitutional mandate of oversight over the executive and providing a platform for the voice of South Africans in government policy and implementation,” he said.
A busy schedule is expected for Parliament this week including both houses holding their respective Rules Committee meetings on Wednesday, with the NCOP Rules Committee meeting expected to start in the morning, followed by the NA Rules Committee meeting in the afternoon.
The NCOP will convene a hybrid plenary on Thursday, to elect various office bearers including the Permanent Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, the Rotating Deputy Chairperson, the Programming Whip, the House Chairperson for Committees and Oversight, the House Chairperson for Parliamentary Diplomacy, the House Chairperson for Internal Arrangements and Members Support, and several other critical positions.
In addition, the Pan-African Parliament will convene the first of its two annual Plenary Sessions this week in Midrand, with the parliament’s budget being considered one of the most critical items for discussion and consideration.
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