Election of Chairperson

Meeting report

Election of Chairperson
Ms Ajabulile Mtiya welcomed everyone to the Committee meeting. She explained that the rules of the National Assembly state that within 5 working days of the announcement of the Members serving in the Portfolio Committee, the Committee needed to elect a Chairperson. Only those Members serving full time on the Committee would be allowed to take part in the election of a Chairperson. She indicated that the role of a Chairperson was to preside at the meeting of the Committee, and also act and represent the Committee in any matters concerning it. 

The Committee Secretary requested Members to nominate a Chairperson.

Mr J Mahlangu (ANC) nominated Ms X Tom (ANC) as a Chairperson and Ms S Tsoleli (ANC) seconded the nomination.

Ms Tom accepted the nomination as Chairperson.

The Committee Secretary congratulated Ms Tom and cordially requested her to assume the position of Chairperson.

Opening Remarks by Chairperson
The Chairperson officially welcomed everyone to the meeting and urged Members to know that they were public representatives and that they had a joint responsibility to serve the South African people. She thanked all the Members that trusted her with the responsibility of being Chairperson.

The Chairperson said that the agenda for the day was solely to elect a Chairperson and indicated that after this process the Members could expect the Portfolio Committee, the Committee staff, content advisors and all the relevant officials to plan and advise Members accordingly. The Chairperson asked all Members in the Portfolio Committee to introduce themselves.

Mr M Rabotapi (DA) congratulated Ms Tom for assuming the position of Chairperson and said he was hopeful that all the Committee Members would support each other in order to succeed in the discussion and the implementation of policies.

Ms A Matshobeni (EFF) thanked the Members for the opportunity to be part of the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture and also agreed that Members needed to work extremely hard as they were serving the people who voted them to Parliament.
Mr A Grootboom (DA) congratulated Ms Tom for being given the position of Chairperson and indicated that Members needed to work as a team in order to achieve the Committee’s mandate. 

Mr J Mahlangu (ANC) welcomed all the Members especially those from the opposition party and appreciated their acceptance of the nomination of the Chairperson. He was hopeful that the Members would work collectively and respect each others views, and reiterated that the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture occupied a very central role in a diverse society like South Africa. Mr Mahlangu added that in the past culture was used for the purpose of division and there was a need to use culture as a catalyst for social cohesion. 

The Chairperson once again asked Members of the Committee to show dedication and team effort as they had a joint responsibility to serve the general public. She said that Members needed to assist each other in making policies that could be implemented to empower South African citizens, especially those who were still marginalised. She also reminded Members that there would be a lot of required readings before the start of every meeting, therefore, Members needed to be well prepared in advance so as to have lively debates. She thanked all the Committee Members who showed confidence in her and said that she was humbled by the honour to assume the position of Chairperson.

The meeting was adjourned.