Order! We now come to the nomination of the Chief Whip of the Council.
The Chairperson called for nominations.
Ms J M Mofokeng, seconded by Ms N W Magadla, nominated Ms Nosipho Dorothy Ntwanambi for election as Chief Whip of the National Council of Provinces.
The Returning Officer reported to the Chairperson that the nomination paper had been properly completed.
There being no further nominations, the Chairperson declared duly elected Ms Nosipho Dorothy Ntwanambi as Chief Whip of the National Council of Provinces.
On behalf of all present here, I congratulate you on having been elected Chief Whip of the National Council of Provinces. [Applause.] I call upon the newly elected Chief Whip - brand new, uit die boks uit - to say a few words to the permanent delegates.
Chairperson, thank you very much. I would like to thank the members, and of course the ANC, for once again electing me as Chief Whip of the NCOP. I would also like to tell the members that I am a member of the ANC today, tomorrow, forever. [Applause.] But I have a responsibility, not only to ANC members, but to all members. [Applause.] I therefore would like to say that I will make sure that I perform my duties to the best of my ability to ensure that I become a Chief Whip to all, irrespective of political affiliation. Lastly, I want to say that for us to succeed, we will make sure that provincial communication between the office of the Chief Whip of the NCOP and that of the Chief Whips in the legislatures is better oiled this time around. That will assist us, particularly with regard to mandates.
To you, hon members, I want to say that the office of the Chief Whip has an unlocked door. It will always be open to everyone. You have to understand that I am, first and foremost, an ANC member. There will be times when we have to take a certain position, and of course we can't come here as "freebies". We come here because we have been nominated by our political parties - that you must understand in my working with you. As we always say in the ANC, if we work together, we will do more for our people. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Thank you, Chief Whip. Now you are a Chief Whip. As I was sitting here while you were speaking, I could see Mr Watson was actually agreeing with you. [Interjections.] [Laughter.] When you said you are the Chief Whip of everybody here, Mr Watson agreed with you. So you can start whipping right now. You have all the powers to do so.