Parliament today, 21 May 2014 elected honourable Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma as President-elect of the Republic of South Africa. Honourable Baleka Mbete was elected Speaker and Honourable Lechesa Tsenoli as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
Four hundred Members of Parliament were also sworn in during a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng. The Provincial legislatures also swore in their members and elected their respective Premiers and speakers.
Acting GCIS CEO, Phumla Williams said, “All South Africans are assured that the work of government will continue as usual prior to the inauguration of the President. The current Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Premiers and MECs remain in their posts and will continue to discharge their duties. The President-elect is expected to name the Ministers and Deputy Ministers who will serve the nation at a date still to be announced.
Preparations for the inauguration are at an advanced stage. Thousands of people are expected to attend, 4 500 of whom will be accommodated in the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre. The remaining attendees will be accommodated on the Southern Lawns of the Union Buildings.
The proceedings will start with invited guests and members of the public arriving at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings and the Southern Lawns from 8h00. Those who cannot attend will be able to follow proceedings on television and radio, or at 45 public viewing areas in the provinces. More information on the live viewing events can accessed on: /events/2014/2014_inauguration.pdf.
There will be park and ride facilities for all people attending the inauguration. For the general public the park and ride facilities are at Tshwane Events Centre. All the media park and ride facilities will be directly communicated to them. There will be no private vehicle access to the Union Buildings or the area immediately surrounding the venue.
The Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile will brief the media on the inauguration cultural programme on Friday, 23 May 2014 at 10h00.
Government encourages all South Africans to witness history as it unfolds by viewing the Presidential inauguration.
Enquiries:
Phumla Williams
Cell: 083 501 0139
