Election of Chairperson

Meeting report

Election of Chairperson
The Committee Secretary explained that the purpose of the first meeting of the Fifth Term was to appoint the Committee Chairperson. She asked for nominations from the floor.

Ms L Maseko (ANC) nominated Dr B Goqwana (ANC).

Ms L Mjobo (ANC) seconded the nomination of Dr Goqwana.

Ms Isaacs asked if there were any other nominations. There were no other nominations. She then declared Dr Goqwana the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology.

Introduction by Chairperson
Dr Goqwana thanked Members for electing him as Chairperson. He emphasised the need for the Committee to work together to achieve its goals. While the work of the Committee may seem insignificant because of the small size of the Department, this work has an important role to play in transforming South Africa.

The Chairperson informed Members that the Committee would be meeting with Department representatives in the next two weeks. Based on these meetings, a committee report would be compiled in preparation for budget vote deliberations.

Dr Goqwana asked that Members introduce themselves and mention some of their work experience.

Dr Goqwana, who is from the Eastern Cape, said that he is a medical doctor by profession and a specialist physician.

Ms Maseko, who is from Gauteng, said that she had been a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature for 20 years and the Speaker of Gauteng in the last term. She is also a law student.

Ms J Terblanche (DA), who is from the North West, said that she had served in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) from 2004 to 2009 and was also the NCOP Whip. She had served on the Home Affairs, Transport and the Science and Technology Portfolio Committees post-2009.

Ms A Lotriet (DA), who is from the Free State, said that she had been a Professor at the University of the Free State and also held a law degree.

Ms M Scheepers (ANC) said that she previously served in the Free State Legislature and is serving her first term in the National Assembly.
 
Ms Mjobo, who is from KwaZulu Natal (KZN), said that she had served in the Mineral Resources and Sport and Recreation Portfolio Committees in the previous term.

Mr P Khoza (EFF), who is from Mpumalanga, said that he is a former Ward Councillor.

Mr N Khubisa (NFP), who is from KZN, said that he is a former school principal, Head of Department at a College of Education and a Professor in Philosophy and Education at the University of Zululand. He served as a Member of the KZN Legislature for seven years and most recently he also served as the Deputy Mayor of Mlalazi in KZN.

Mr C Mathale (ANC) said that he is from Limpopo.

At the request of the Chairperson, the Committee Secretary introduced the support staff of the Committee, who included the Committee Researcher, Dr Elia Marikani, the Content Advisor, Dr Renee Osborne-Mullins and Nina Pasensie and Amanda Klein, who are both allocated to the office of the Chairperson.

Luyanda Frans, the Parliamentary Liaison Officer from the Ministry of Science and Technology and Nandipha Tsetsane from the Office of the Director-General introduced themselves.

Yoliswa Lantu who is a representative of the Parliamentary Communications unit introduced herself.

Thanduxolo Botumani, the Committee Assistant introduced himself.

Other stakeholders who were simply sitting in on the meeting also introduced themselves.

The meeting was adjourned.