Hansard: Appointment of Chief Whips & Parliamentary Office Bearers / Members Elected as House Persons / Election of Members of Pan African Parliament / Designation of Representatives of Parliament in SADC Parliamentary Forum / Designation of Members of JSC

House: National Assembly

Date of Meeting: 25 May 2009

Summary

No summary available.

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Minutes

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 26 May 2009 Take: 10

TUESDAY, 26 MAY 2009

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

____________________________

The House met at 14:20.

The Speaker took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

START OF DAY

APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF WHIPS AND OTHER PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE BEARERS

(Announcements)

The Speaker announced that Dr M S Motshekga had been elected as Chief Whip and Mr G Magwanishe as Deputy Chief Whip of the Majority Party, and that Mr I O Davidson had been elected as Chief Whip of the Opposition.

The Speaker announced that he had been informed that Mr R A P Trollip had been elected by the Democratic Alliance as its Parliamentary leader and therefore Leader of the Opposition in terms of section 57(2) (d) of the Constitution.

The Speaker further announced that he had been informed that the

Deputy President had been designated Leader of Government

Business in the National Assembly in terms of section 91(4) of the

Constitution.

The Speaker announced that he had, in terms of Rule 319, designated

Ms A Dlodlo as Parliamentary Counsellor to the President and Mr J H Jeffery as Parliamentary Counsellor to the Deputy President, with effect from 20 May 2009.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION

The SPEAKER: ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHILD PROTECTION WEEK

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION: Mr Speaker, I move without notice:

That the House –

(1) notes that Tuesday, 26 May 2009, marks the beginning of Child Protection week which will culminate in the commemoration of International Children's Day on 1 June;

(2) further notes that the theme for the week is "Caring Communities Protect Children";

(3) acknowledges that our Constitution has made children's rights a priority and that every child is afforded the right to food and shelter, and must be protected from abuse, neglect and degradation;

(4) recognises that a large number of our children, one of the most vulnerable groups in our society, are still victims of neglect, abuse and violence on a daily basis;

(5) further acknowledges the selfless role stakeholders in civil society and in local communities have played in campaigning for the protection and development of our children; and

(6) calls on all South Africans to stand together to ensure that our children are protected from all forms of abuse, so that they can enjoy the benefits of freedom and democracy which they so rightly deserve.

Agreed to.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION

MOTION OF CONDOLENCE

(The late Ms N K Shoba)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Mr Speaker, I move:

That the House –

(1) notes with profound sadness the untimely death on Saturday, 9 May 2009, of Hon Mama Nomvula Khellinah Shoba;

(2) further notes that Mama Khellinah, as she was affectionately known, held several positions within the Tripartite Alliance, including that of Secretary and Deputy Chairperson of the local ANC branch, Provincial Secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions in Mpumalanga and Regional Treasurer of the National Union of Mineworkers;

(3) recognises that her untimely and sudden death has not only robbed her family of a caring mother, wife and grandmother but that her departure from our midst is indeed a great loss to the ANC, the Tripartite Alliance, the women formations, the people of Mpumalanga and the rest of South Africa, and that Mama Khellinah has left a void;

(4) recalls that the attainment of gender parity and other gains achieved by women since the dawn of democracy were largely brought about through courageous and unwavering struggles waged by women of the calibre of Comrade Shoba; and

(5) conveys its condolences to the Shoba family, the African National Congress, the South African Communist Party and the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

Motion agreed to, members standing.

The SPEAKER: The condolences of the House will be conveyed to the Shoba family, the ANC, the SACP and Cosatu.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

AFRICA DAY

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Mr Speaker, I move:

That the House –

(1) notes that 25 May is observed by Africans throughout the continent of Africa and in the diaspora as Africa Day;

(2) further notes that this is the day the Organisation of African Unity, the OAU, the precursor to the African Union, the AU, was formed in 1963 and also marks the adoption of its charter, the African Charter of Human and People's Rights;

(3) acknowledges that, for us, as Africans, this day means that our entire continent has an opportunity to join together in united affirmation of our confidence in ourselves, and our future;

(4) believes that Africa Day celebrates the progress that we, as Africans, have made, while reflecting upon the common challenges we face in a global environment; and

(5) calls upon Africans on the continent and in the diaspora and progressive humanity to work hard for securing peace and friendship amongst all our people by upholding equal rights and status for all.

Agreed to.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

RESUMPTION OF PROCEEDINGS ON APPROPRIATION BILL

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move that the House resume proceedings on the Appropriation Bill [B5 – 2009] (National Assembly – sec 77) from the stage it reached on 24 March 2009, the last sitting day of the House during the sixth session of the Third Parliament, taking into account the provisions of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act (Act No 9 of 2009).

Agreed to.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR MEMBERS TO DISCLOSE REGISTRABLE INTERESTS

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move that the House, notwithstanding item 6(2) of Part 1 of Schedule A to the Joint Rules, which stipulates that members' first disclosure of registrable interests must be within 30 days of the first sitting of the House after an election, resolves, subject to the concurrence of the National Council of Provinces, to extend the period to 26 June 2009.

Agreed to.

Keh/END OF TAKE

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

SUSPENSION OF RULE 172 FOR DURATION OF FOURTH PARLIAMENT

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move that the House, noting the decision of the Rules Committee on Friday, 22 May 2009, suspend Rule 172, relating to the composition of the Subcommittee on Review of the Assembly Rules, for the duration of the Fourth Parliament.

Agreed to.

Mr J H VAN DER MERWE: Hon Speaker, I am sorry, I motioned to the messenger not the Speaker. [Laughter.]

The SPEAKER: Hon member, when you motion to the messenger, use your left hand. When you address the Speaker use your right hand.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

MEMBERS ELECTED AS HOUSE PERSONS

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move that the House in terms of Rule 14 elect the following members as House Chairpersons:

Mr K O Bapela;

Ms M N Oliphant; and

Mr M B Skosana.

Agreed to.

[Applause.]

The SPEAKER: Hon members, I wish to congratulate you on your appointment. I will, in due course, make an announcement in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports about the specific responsibilities allocated to each House Chairperson.

The SPEAKER

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT

(Draft Resolution)

The SPEAKER: The following nominations have been received for election as members of the Pan-African Parliament.

Mr M J Mahlangu (NCOP);

Mr S J Njikelana (ANC);

Ms F Hajaig (ANC);

Ms S V Kalyan (DA); and

Ms M N Matladi (UCDP).

Are there any further nominations?

There being no further nominations, Mr M J Mahlangu, Mr S J Njikelana, Ms F Hajaig, Ms S V Kalyan and Ms M N Matladi are accordingly elected as members of the Pan-African Parliament. [Applause.]

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

The SPEAKER

DESIGNATION OF REPRESENTATIVES OF PARLIAMENT IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM

(Draft Resolution)

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move that the following members be designated to represent Parliament in the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum in terms of article 6(3) of the Constitution of the said Forum:

Mr M V Sisulu;

Mr S P Holomisa;

Ms N D Ntwanambi;

Mr W G James; and

Ms B N Dlulane in her capacity as Chairperson of the Multiparty Women's Caucus.

Agreed to.

[Applause.]

Mr M V Sisulu, Mr S P Holomisa, Ms N D Ntwanambi, Mr W G James and Ms B N Dlulane accordingly designated to represent Parliament in the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY /

END OF TAKE/ARM

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS TO JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION

The SPEAKER: I now recognise the Chief Whip of the Majority Party to move a motion in terms of section 178(1) (h) of the Constitution on the designation of members of the Majority Party to the Judicial Service Commission.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move that the House appoint the following members to the Judicial Service Commission:

Mr C V Burgess;

Ms F I Chohan;

Ms P de Lille;

Mr N A Ramatlhodi;

Mr H C Schmidt; and

Mr J H van der Merwe.

Agreed to.

[Applause.]

Mr C V Burgess, Ms F I Chohan, Ms P de Lille, Mr N A Ramatlhodi, Mr H C Schmidt and Mr J H van der Merwe accordingly designated to the Judicial Service Commission.

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY

DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS TO MAGISTRATES COMMISSION

The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Hon Speaker, I move that the House appoint the following members to the Magistrates Commission:

Adv T M Masutha;

Mr M C Manana;

Ms D A Scháfer; and

Mr S N Swart.

Agreed to.

[Applause.]

Adv T M Masutha, Mr M C Manana, Ms D A Scháfer and Mr S N Swart were accordingly designated to the Magistrates Commission.

The House adjourned at 14:38.

END OF TAKE

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