MPs being sworn in: The process

Today, ahead of the first sitting of Parliament tomorrow, ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe, announced that Max Sisulu will not be returning as Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), and that the nomination for Speaker of the House is party stalwart Baleka Mbete. Lechesa Tsenoli has been named as the new Deputy Speaker.

In Parliament tomorrow, 21 May, South Africa’s 400 NA MPs, representing 13 different political parties, will be sworn in by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng at 10:30 am. In groups of 10, they will swear or affirm faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the Constitution.

Also attending the first sitting of the Fifth democratic Parliament will be diplomats and guests of the Presidency, guests of leaders and representatives of political parties in Parliament, and members of the public.

After MPs are sworn in Chief Justice Mogoeng calls for the nomination of candidates for the position of Speaker of the NA. If more than one nomination is received for the position of Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), an election by secret ballot is held. Counting of the ballots is done in the presence of the Chief Justice. The results are then announced in the House.

Once the Speaker is duly elected, nominations are invited for the position of Deputy Speaker of the NA. The newly-elected Speaker presides over this election.

Throughout the process, the mace, which represents the Speaker’s authority, will remain upright in front of the National Assembly podium until the newly elected Speaker is escorted to the presiding officer’s chair by the sergeant-at-arms. When the mace is laid horizontally, it signals the official start to the new Parliament.

After an hour’s lunch break the House reconvenes (at 2pm) and the Chief Justice calls for the nomination of candidates for the position of President of the Republic of South Africa. Like the Speaker and Deputy Speaker process, if more than one nomination is made, an election by secret ballot is held. Counting of the ballots is done in the presence of the Chief Justice. The results are then announced in the House. The President, once elected, ceases to be a member of the NA.

For the first time tomorrow incoming MPs will use the biometric system in the NA. When MPs registered in Parliament yesterday and today, their personal details and fingerprints were recorded. The biometric system is expected be used to record attendance in the Fifth Parliament.