7th ADMINISTRATION WRAP | Ramaphosa re-elected as president
TimesLIVE brings you blow by blow updates from the first sitting of the National Assembly at the Cape Town ICC
Image: Werner Hills
June 14 2024 - 23:25
Ramaphosa re-elected as president
President Cyril Ramaphosa retained his position as South Africa’s number one citizen.
June 14 2024 - 22:00
IFP, ANC, DA, NFP coalition triumphs over MK Party in KZN
KwaZulu-Natal's new premier Thami Ntuli says his government has a mammoth task ahead to confront the challenges the people of the province are facing.
June 14 2024 - 21:00
Jobs, housing, water and electricity for rural areas are priority for Limpopo's new premier Phophi Ramathuba
Former Limpopo health MEC Phophi Ramathuba has been elected as the first female premier in the province.
June 14 2024 - 19:00
IFP's Thami Ntuli was elected Premier of the province
IFP's Thami Ntuli was elected Premier of the province with the 41 votes of his party and his coalition.
Ntuli was nominated by the ANC' Nomagugu Simela, seconded by the DA's Francois Rogers to beat the MK Party's Phathisiswe Chiliza - who was seconded by the EFF by 41 votes to 39.
Ntuli takes over as premier of KZN through coalition with the ANC, the DA and NFP - following an election that did not produce a winning party.
IFP's Thami Ntuli was elected Premier of the province with the 41 votes of his party and his coalition.He spent years in local government, first in the Nkandla local municipality and most recently the mayor of King Cetshwayo district municipality.
June 14 2024 - 18:00
DA won't determine who gets into GNU: Mbalula
The ANC's pact with the IFP is predicated on the outcomes of the first sitting of KwaZulu-Natal's provincial legislature where the latter wants the ANC to support its candidate Thami Ntuli for the premier position.
June 14 2024 - 17:55
ANC's Thoko Didiza elected new speaker of National Assembly
Thoko Didiza, the outgoing minister of agriculture, has been elected new National Assembly speaker.
June 14 2024 - 17:23
The DA has secured the position of deputy speaker for the KwaZulu-Natal legislature
The DA has secured the position of deputy speaker for the KwaZulu-Natal legislature
Mmabatho Tembe of the DA won by one vote over the MK Party nominee Ishana Barciela who received 39 votes.
The IFP, ANC, DA and NFP coalition which is set to co govern KZN has so far won the two positions being elected on Thursday, with the Premier being voted for last.
Tembe previously was a spokesperson for social development for the DA at the legislature.
Prior she was a DA councillor in the eThekwini municipality.
Zimasa Matiwane
June 14 2024 - 15:40
Steenhuisen touts 'multiparty national government' as DA win
DA leader John Steenhuisen has hailed the DA's involvement in the formation of a government as a win for the party.
June 14 2024 - 14:50
Nontembeko Boyce has been re - elected Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature
The ANC's Nontembeko Boyce has been re - elected Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature.
Boyce was supported by the Boyce the IFP, ANC, DA, NFP coalition agreement for the position of Speaker.
She beat the MK Party Mervyn Dirks with 41 votes to 39.
She was previously Speaker in the the sixth administration under the ANC.
Boyce joined the legislature in May 2014. She served as the deputy chief whip before her appointment as chief whip in 2016. She also formerly served as the chairperson of the legislature's standing committee on oversight.
Zimasa Matiwane
June 14 2024 - 14:30
IN PICS | The first sitting of parliament
The first sitting of the National Assembly is being held on Friday at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
June 14 2024 - 13:10
Parliament proceedings were suspended on Friday midday as officials prepared ballots for the election of the speaker.
The contest for the position is between outgoing agriculture, land reform and rural development minister Thoko Didiza and EFF national chair Veronica Mente.
Didiza was nominated by outgoing ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina and former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo seconded the nomination.
Didiza is no stranger to presiding over the National Assembly as she served as the house chairperson responsible for internal arrangements in the fifth parliament between 2014 and 2019.
The ATM’s Vuyo Zungula nominated Mente. That nomination was supported by UDM leader Bantu Holomisa.
Mente has a reputation for being a hardworking MP.
She served in Scopa in the fifth and sixth parliament.
TimesLIVE earlier reported that the ANC and DA struck a deal to support each other’s candidates. As part of the deal, Cyril Ramaphosa would be elected as president, Didiza speaker and the DA’s Annelie Lotriet as deputy speaker.
The house was scheduled to resume after lunch. - Andisiwe Makinana
June 14 2024 - 12:37
Outgoing ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina has nominated Thokozile Angela Didiza for the position of speaker. The nomination was seconded by ANC MP Supra Mahumapelo.
Didiza has accepted the nomination. - Andisiwe Makinana
June 14 2024 - 12:27
Oscar Mabuyabe has just been re-elected as the Premier of the Eastern Cape
June 14 2024 - 12:22
Five things South Africans want from the GNU
1. Crime and corruption: When President Cyril Ramaphosa was elected into the top position five years ago, many people rallied behind him because he promised to tackle corruption, putting the spotlight on the state capture inquiry findings.
After five years of his tenure, many people believe government has not successfully dealt with corruption. Sharing their views on social media, many said they hoped the GNU would be made-up of multiple parties as it would stand a better chance of providing oversight in governance, prevent corruption and hold each other accountable. Many want the GNU to implement strict measures to combat corruption.
June 14 2024 - 12:00
KwaZulu-Natal members of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature have sworn in without incidence.
37 members of the provincial legislature from the MK Party, 15 from the IFP, 14 from the DA, two from the EFF.
KZN Judge President Thoba Poyo-Dlwati facilitated the swearing in of MPLs.
The nominations for speaker took place immediately after - where the ANC's Nontembeko Boyce and MK Party's Mervyn Dirks were nominated - and accepted.
Boyce is supported for the position by the IFP, ANC, DA, NFP coalition agreement. - Zimasa Matiwane
June 14 2024 - 11:45
Swearing in of MPs concluded at 11.44am.
EFF chief whip Floyd Shivambu, on a point of order, requests a 30-minute break to caucus before the nomination of speaker candidates.
Shivambu is heckled from the ANC benches.He says his request is within the law and is constitutional. Chief Justice: “Why would you not have caucused before?”There’s applause again from the ANC benches.
The house is suspended for a 15 minute comfort break at 11.54am - Andisiwe Makinana
June 14 2024 - 11:02
Six political parties convened under the banner ‘progressive caucus’ hosted a press briefing to dispel the notion that the ANC’s GNU is a collective agreement.
Economic Freedom Fighters, United Democratic Movement, African Transformation Movement, Pan African Congress, Al Jama-ah and United African Transformation have formed this bloc, citing they have 13% of the vote share among them but have not been included in the GNU deal.
ATM president Vuyo Zungula said it is important to place on the record that the parties were initially approached but have not received feedback from the former ruling party.
“The ANC has stated that since no party has received an outright majority, we will form a government of national unity which will be inclusive of all parties.”
However, the progressive caucus cohort says they have been abandoned as the GNU formation draws to a close. - Sisanda Mbolekwa
June 14 2024 - 10:53
ANC, DA struck a deal: Ramaphosa president, Didiza speaker, DA gets deputy speaker
President Cyril Ramaphosa will be elected with the support of the DA on Friday afternoon.
The parties struck a deal shortly after 10am, during the first sitting of the National Assembly.
“It's done. We have deal,” said a senior DA MP on condition of anonymity.
June 14 2024 - 10:52
EFF MPs sworn in
EFF concluded what appears to be a caucus meeting at a venue close to the CTICC parliament precinct.
June 14 2024 - 10:31
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, his deputy Nomvula Mokonyane and treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa in the public gallery.
Image: Andisiwe Makinana
June 14 2024 - 10:29
ANC MPs Cyril Ramaphosa, Paul Mashatile, Pemmy Majodina, Gwede Mantashe, Thembi Nkadimeng and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Maropene Ramokgopa were the first group of MPs to be sworn in by chief justice Raymond Zondo.
- Andisiwe Makinana
Image: The Presidency 🇿🇦 @PresidencyZA
June 14 2024 - 10:08
Today will mark the first sitting of the National Assembly (NA) wherein 39 Battalions will be sworn in as Members of Parliament.
The EFF is back to holding the executive accountable and will continue to represent the dejected masses of our people.
June 14 2024 - 10:00
WATCH LIVE | First sitting of the National Assembly at the Cape Town ICC.
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Six parties under the banner of the ‘progressive caucus’ have convened a press briefing an hour before the first sitting of parliament.
The parties are the EFF, UDM, ATM, Al Jama-ah, PAC and UAT.
14 June 2024 - 09:57
EXPLAINER | How the National Assembly first sitting will unfold
14 June 2024 - 09:30
May God bless the National Assembly(NA), of the 7th Democratic Parliament
First sitting to elect the President to lead South Africa forward in terms of s86 of the Constitution.
God bless the NA as it elects its speaker in terms of s52.
Mindful of the troubled waters ahead, nationally and globally, may they choose the wisest with a mindset of justice beyond just us.
14 June 2024 - 09:17
MK Party likely to nominate deputy PM Inkosi Chiliza as KZN premier candidate
Deputy prime minister of the Zulu Royal House Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza has been touted as the MK Party's (MKP) candidate for KwaZulu-Natal premier.
Three insiders close to former president Jacob Zuma's inner circle said the MKP was confident it would emerge as the new government in the province despite the announcement by the IFP that it would form a government with the ANC, DA and NFP in KwaZulu-Natal.
14 June 2024 - 08:00
President @CyrilRamaphosa registers as a Member of the 7th Parliament ahead of the First Sitting of the National Assemby
Following the registration process, the President took a walkabout to view the preparations of tomorrow's Sitting.
The Chief Justice determined, 14 and 15 June as the dates for the first sittings of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) respectively.
June 13 2024 - 22:53
EFF rejects a GNU that includes the DA
June 13 2024 - 22:41
WATCH | Parliament prepared for first sitting
Parliament secretary Xolile George briefed the media on Thursday about the readiness for the first sitting of parliament on Friday for the National Assembly and the NCOP on Saturday at the Cape Town ICC. George also confirmed that the president-elect will be inaugurated on Wednesday, June 19.
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June 13 2024 - 17:44
Parliament has budgeted R58m for the establishment of its seventh administration
Parliament has budgeted R58m for the establishment of its seventh administration. The money will cover preparation of parliamentary precincts and the facilitation of the first sittings on Friday and Saturday, provision of tools of trade for MPs, inductions, as well as the broadcasting infrastructure for all sittings, including the upcoming state of the nation address by the new president.
June 13 2024 - 16:00
Khumalo's high court bid for parliamentary seat struck off the roll
MK Party founding leader Jabulani Khumalo has been dealt another blow by the courts.
The Western Cape High Court has struck from the roll his application to be retained on his party’s list of MPs.
June 13 2024 - 14:49
PA’s Gayton McKenzie greeting home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi
June 13 2024 - 14:44
Ramaphosa to meet Steenhuisen for final talks
President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet DA leader John Steenhuisen on Thursday afternoon, highly placed sources told TimesLIVE Premium.
ANC structures are preparing to hold meetings on Thursday night to conclude its agreement with potential partners in the DA and IFP.
June 13 2024 - 14:26
‘Don’t fight to be MPs,’ MK Party’s Bonginkosi Khanyile urges members
Former MK Party (MKP) youth leader Bonginkosi Khanyile has urged party members not to fight to be on the party’s parliament and provincial legislature lists.
The party is set to make changes to its parliament list after expelling several members who were initially nominated to be MPs. Party founder Jabulani Khumalo, who took over former president Jacob Zuma’s first spot on the list, recently lost a court battle against his expulsion when he fought to remain on the party's parliament list.
June 13 2024 - 14:02
Carl Niehaus to attend first sitting of the National Assembly
June 13 2024 - 13:50
EFF to brief media ahead of parliament's first sitting
The EFF is expected to host a briefing in Cape Town this evening ahead of the first sitting of parliament on Friday.
It is expected that red beret’s leader Julius Malema will announce his party’s standing as the country gears towards the formation of government.
Earlier on social media, Malema rallied ‘progressive forces to hold onto each other with such strength that it unsettled the racists and collaborators.’
“Our readiness to face any consequences will carry us to victory and history will absolve us. We must destroy the very idea of fear from our minds by consistently telling the truth because ultimately, the truth will conquer evil. Fear not fellow fighters because we will never sell out the EFF founding manifesto for political expediency. We shall overcome, victory is certain”
This comes as EFF stands the chance of becoming collateral damage as negotiations between the ANC and its potential government of national unity (GNU) partners intensifies, with the clock ticking towards the first sitting in parliament on Friday.
TimesLIVE Premium understands the ANC in Gauteng has resolved to terminate its relationship with the EFF in metros.
It is anticipated that Malema will address the implications of the formation of a GNU on his party’s standing in metros, among other issues.
-Sisanda Mbolekwa
June 13 2024 - 13:11
Rise Mzansi endorses GNU
Rise Mzansi says it is not opposed to the proposed government of national unity. They however believe that a party that leads the executive should not lead the legislature.
The party has two seats in the national assembly, and if it was to get its wishes, it would mean the ANC, which has proposed the GNU to all parties, will have to give up its speaker position to one of the opposition parties.
Spokesperson Mabine Seabe on Thursday said that the negotiations were still continuing but the party has agreed that it will contest for the position of president of the country at the national assembly’s first sitting on Friday.
“Our position is that the party that leads the Executive should not lead the Legislature,” said Seabi.
“We are still awaiting and proposing names of candidates as we continue talking. RISE Mzansi will not put forward a Presidential Candidate.”
The party says it has met several political parties including the ANC, DA, IFP, ActionSA, Bosa, as part of its coalition negotiations.
“From the side of RISE Mzansi, we have engaged with the premise of playing a role in ensuring constitutional, democratic and social stability, by lending whatever support we can to facilitating a first sitting of the National Assembly that results in the election of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and President; and in the instance of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) the election of a Speaker, Deputy Speaker and premier,” he said.
According Seabe, nothing has been signed yet as the “talks about talks” were still at what he said was a developmental stage.
“But there has been agreement on a broad set of principles, which cover among other things upholding the Constitution and the rule of law, protecting the constitutionally-guaranteed independence of key institutions so they may serve the South African people without fear or favour and ensuring that critical public services are not interrupted or undermined,” he said.
-Kgothatso Madisa
June 13 2024 - 13:08
Gayton McKenzie eyes police ministry if PA does not win home affairs
Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has his eye on the police ministry if his party does not secure the home affairs department during government of national unity (GNU) talks.
On Wednesday McKenzie said the PA would join the ANC and other political parties in the formation of a GNU.
June 13 2024 - 13:05
ANC resolves to terminate EFF relationship in Gauteng metros
The EFF stands the chance of becoming collateral damage as negotiations between the ANC and its potential government of national unity (GNU) partners intensifies, with the clock ticking towards the first sitting in parliament on Friday.
TimesLIVE Premium understands the ANC in Gauteng has resolved to terminate its relationship with the EFF in metros.
June 13 2024 - 13:01
Patriotic Alliance to be part of ANC-led GNU
The Patriotic Alliance says it will become part of the ANC-led government of national unity.
The party says it will vote for the installation of President Cyril Ramaphosa at the first sitting of the national assembly on Friday.
Its leader Gayton McKenzie says in its discussions, the PA has asked for one of the three ministries - home affairs, police and sports - which they say will be decided by Ramaphosa when he eventually constitutes his cabinet.
"Decision will ultimately rest with President Cyril Ramaphosa, we will be voting for him to be the President of the Republic of South Africa tomorrow in parliament," the PA said.
The party says its leader, Mckenzie is convinced that they would be able to fix the rampant crime,, gangsterism, mafias and drug scourge in the country if they are given the police ministry.
-Kgothatso Madisa
June 13 2024 - 12:59
IFP restructures executive governance in Zululand district municipality
The IFP is making changes to the executive governance of its stronghold - the Zululand district municipality.
The party's longtime mayor of the district, Thulasizwe Buthelezi has resigned and is being redeployed to the KwaZulu-Natal legislature.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa told TimesLIVE the changes are part of the party's pre-election decisions and are in no way connected to the coalition talks taking place in the province.
"The mayor of Zululand was placed on the list (province to province) way before elections.
The IFP is not engaging in discussions on local government elections at this stage, primarily because we are dealing with national and provincial election outcomes and formation of governments at that level thereof," said Hlengwa.
-Zimasa Matiwane
June 13 2024 - 12:57
New MPs queue to register as members of the seventh parliament
Young, old and new, MPs queued patiently at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Thursday, waiting to register as members of the seventh parliament.
Among the early arrivals were outgoing ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina and chair of chairs Cedric Frolick, DA national spokesperson Solly Malatsi, FF Plus leader Pieter Groenewald and EFF’s Makoti Khawula.
ANC national chair Gwede Mantashe arrived around noon, sharing jokes and shaking hands with his waiting colleagues from different parties.The ANC’s Fasiha Hassan, 30, a new MP, said she was excited about getting a seat in parliament.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet; may be the moment the chief justice swears us in, perhaps that is the moment it will feel real.
“Im excited but I think we all are a little bit nervous, it’s a new kind of parliament, a new kind of politics, coalition, and otherwise.
“I also view it as an opportunity to learn, an opportunity for us as young people to develop the kind of skills politically that we will need for the rest of our lives. I’m excited about that.”
-Andisiwe Makinana
June 13 2024 - 12:47
WATCH | 'GNU talks are like sitting in a car but not knowing where it's going': Mmusi Maimane
“Government of national unity (GNU) talks are like sitting in a car but not knowing where it's going.”
This is how Build One SA (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane described the first week of GNU talks.
With only one day to go before the first sitting of the seventh administration of parliament, Maimane proposed that parties come together to discuss a concrete plan for forming the GNU before parliament convenes.
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June 13 2024 - 12:18
Alan Winde re-elected as Western Cape premier
Alan Winde was re-elected premier at a sitting of the Western Cape legislature on Thursday.
He was due to be officially sworn in along with a new cabinet after 1pm after beating ANC nominated candidate Muhammad Khalid Sayed.
“In my first term of office, we achieved so much in our efforts to address the wicked problems facing this province, but I know many of those remain. As I criss-crossed this province I saw how many of our residents are struggling and the responsibility we as government have to step in and provide that critical social safety net for each of them. I owe it to you, our residents, to work even harder as I lead this government once more,” said Winde.
June 13 2024 - 10:40
MK Party chops its secretary general Sihle Ngubane
MK Party has announced a change of leadership, chopping its secretary general Sihle Ngubane. According to the party, Ngubane expressed his desire to former president and MK party leader Jacob Zuma and the party's leadership to transition to his forthcoming role in parliament.
– Sisanda Mbolekwa