Parliamentary Leader of Opposition needs experience, says analyst

Since the announcement of Lindiwe Mazibuko’s resignation from the role of Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, much has been said about the reasons behind her decision and speculation over whether DA Gauteng Leader Mmusi Mamaine will be her replacement. But, there has been a dearth of analysis on what the role entails. People’s Assembly caught up with Ebrahim Fakir, Head of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa’s (EISA’s) Parties and Parliamentary Programme, to see what the position requires.

Fakir explained that it is a multifaceted role and a tough job. “The candidate would need to be experienced in politics and know the parliamentary process and procedure in and out. They would also need to know the rules so they can use it for strategic effect.”

He added that over and above process, they would need to be able to manage people and politics. Part of their role includes deciding who is deployed to what Committee, as well as administrative and budgetary work. They also have executive oversight.

“[The Parliamentary Leader of the Opposition] needs to make decisions on what concessions they are willing to make on the wording of certain bills, where they won’t accept changes to draft legislation; they need to chair the caucus, guide debates and give everyone a voice,” Fakir said.

The Parliamentary Leader of the Opposition is required to manage and supervise party whips as well as support staff, including administrative staff, communications specialists and advisors. They also need to deal with parliamentary researchers and clerks, the Speakers office, the Parliamentary Secretariat and other bureaucracy.

Fakir explained, “They often also need to sit on house committees like rules committees and even though they might not have time to sit on parliamentary committees, their presence needs to felt by committee whips”.

It is also important that they are strong in plenary. Fakir told People’s Assembly that one of Mazibuko’s best attributes was that she came across well in debates such as those that took place around Nkandla and other areas of oversight, namely the missing text book debacle.

Fakir added that it was important the candidate was “ideologically sussed” to keep MPs in line with the liberal values of the DA. “In many ways, leading a party in Parliament demands translating, instead of setting political and policy goals, which are given institutional political effect through the use of parliamentary committees and debates, and using the instruments of parliamentary procedure and process.”

Fakir said that considering the divisions within the DA, it is also important that the Parliamentary Leader is adept at managing micro politics within the parliamentary caucus and has an intimate knowledge of people and their interests and strengths.

When asked who he thinks may have the experience, skills and support within the party ranks to fill the position, Fakir replied, “Off the top of my head, bearing in mind they have many considerations to balance and that there are a number of people with immense experience in Parliament, I’d say maybe [Patricia] de Lille? She was spectacular as both a PAC and ID MP. She was very strong on oversight details such as anti-corruption and social transformation policies but I’m not sure how she would do with the administrative side of things.”

When asked about Maimane, Fakir raised concerns about putting someone in the position who has not been an MP. “Parliament is a different world with different rules. You need someone with some experience of how that institution functions.”

He added that the DA may just have to try and recall former Parliamentary Leader, Atholl Trollip.