The Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature held its first sitting of the 5th term today (Wednesday 21 May 2014), to swear-in new Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) and elect Premier of the Province and Presiding Officers of the Legislature.
Judge-President Themba Sangoni presided over the affirmation of 63 MPLs from six different political parties represented in the Legislature. The ANC is the majority party with 45 seats, DA is the official opposition with 10 seats, UDM has 4 seats, COPE has 1 seat and the EFF has 1 seat. The process of swearing-in MPLs undertook batches of 9 for the sake of the speed.
MPL Phumulo Masualle was elected the Premier of the Eastern Cape Province with loud applause from the entire Raymond Mhlaba Chamber. The former Premier, MPL Noxolo Kiviet was elected the Speaker of the Legislature while MPL Bulelwa Tunyiswa retained her position as the Deputy Speaker. MPL Alfred Mtsi also retained his position as the Chairperson of Committees and MPL Ntombovuyo Nkopane was elected the Deputy Chairperson of Committees. The ANC also announced that MPL Mzoleli Mrara will retain his position as the Chief Whip of the majority party in the Legislature and the former Legislature General Manager in the Supply Chain Managements unit, MPL Mzuyanda Sokujika was elected the Deputy Chief Whip.
Permanent delegates were also elected to join the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Cape Town. The African National Congress elected Mandla Rayi, Tabiso Wana, Pindiwe Samka-Mququ and Litho Suka; while the Democratic Alliance named Elizabeth Van Lingen and the United Democratic Movement chose Lennox Gaehler to represent them.
The ANC Permanent Delegates were given a mandate to go and support the election of Thandi Modise as the Chairperson of the NCOP and Papi Tawu as the Deputy Chairperson.
The newly elected Speaker of the Legislature extended her gratitude to the ANC for trusting her to lead the MPLs of the 5th Legislature.
“I want to thank the ANC for this privilege and honour which I accept with humility. I appreciate it and will never forget the trust and confidence they have shown to me in my entire life. I commit myself to serve my party with everything I am and I promise that I will try my level best to meet all the expectations of the ANC” said Speaker Kiviet.
Premier Masualle is expected to announce his executive on Friday, 23 May 2014 at Good News Christian Church in King William’s Town.
Thanking you in advance,
Velisile Bukula
Media Officer: Media Liaison
Tel: 040 609 1591
Cell : 071642 3495
Fax: 086 225 9780
E-mail : vvbukula@ecleg.gov.za
