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| Speaker of the National Assembly (South Africa) | |
|---|---|
| Post | Speaker of the National Assembly |
| Body | Parliament of South Africa |
| Incumbentsince | 19 August 2021 |
| Style | The Honourable |
| Member of | National Assembly |
| Reports to | Parliament of South Africa |
| Seat | Parliament of South Africa, Cape Town |
| Appointer | National Assembly |
| Termlength | While member of the National Assembly |
Speaker of the National Assembly (South Africa) The Speaker of the National Assembly presides over the National Assembly of South Africa, the lower house of the Parliament of South Africa, and serves as a key officer in the legislative framework established by the Constitution of South Africa (1996). The Speaker administers plenary sittings, enforces procedural rules derived from the Standing Rules and Orders of the National Assembly, and represents the Assembly in relations with the President of South Africa, the National Council of Provinces, and international parliamentary bodies such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the African Parliament (Pan-African Parliament).
The Speaker chairs sittings of the National Assembly of South Africa and maintains order under the Standing Rules and Orders of the National Assembly, interprets precedents from earlier Speakers such as Frene Ginwala and Baleka Mbete, and applies provisions of the Electoral Act 1998 when addressing vacancy or membership matters. The office liaises with the President of South Africa, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, and the Chief Justice of South Africa on constitutional and procedural disputes, and engages with bodies including the Public Protector, the Auditor-General of South Africa, and the South African Human Rights Commission on institutional oversight. The Speaker represents the Assembly at state events alongside the Deputy President of South Africa and the Chief Whip of the Majority Party.
The Speaker is elected by members of the National Assembly of South Africa at the first sitting after a general election held under the Electoral Act 1998 and the electoral framework overseen by the Electoral Commission of South Africa. Candidates are typically nominated by party caucuses including the African National Congress, the Democratic Alliance, the Economic Freedom Fighters, the Inkatha Freedom Party, and other parliamentary parties. The Speaker serves while remaining a Member of Parliament under rules set by the Constitution of South Africa (1996) and can be removed by a resolution of the National Assembly of South Africa, often prompted by motions moved by parties such as the Congress of the People or United Democratic Movement.
Under the Constitution of South Africa (1996), the Speaker enforces the Standing Rules and Orders of the National Assembly and rules on points of order, citing precedents from previous Speakers like Baleka Mbete and Max Sisulu. The Speaker decides on the admissibility of questions to the Executive, oversees the Programme Committee and the Portfolio Committees scheduling derived from the Joint Rules of Parliament, and certifies bills passed by the Assembly for transmission to the President of South Africa for assent under the South African legislative process. The office issues directions to the Sergeant-at-Arms, coordinates with the Secretary to Parliament on administration, and may refer alleged breaches to the Ethics Committee or to the South African Police Service when security incidents involve MPs.
The Speaker interacts with the President of South Africa on matters of assent and proclamation of Acts, consults the Chief Justice of South Africa on constitutional interpretation under section 79 procedures, and coordinates with the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces for joint sittings such as the State of the Nation Address. The Speaker works alongside the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development concerning parliamentary privilege and immunity, and negotiates with party leaders including the Leader of the Opposition (South Africa) and the Chief Whip of the Majority Party on parliamentary timetables. Internationally, the Speaker engages with counterparts from the British House of Commons, the German Bundestag, the United States House of Representatives, and the European Parliament on interparliamentary exchanges.
The office traces its modern lineage to the first democratic Parliament following the 1994 South African general election. Early occupants include Frene Ginwala, who served in the 1994–1999 Parliament, followed by Speakers such as Baleka Mbete during multiple terms, and speakers including Max Sisulu and acting holders during periods of reshuffle under administrations led by Presidents Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe, Jacob Zuma, and Cyril Ramaphosa. The list also notes Speakers from opposition negotiations involving parties like the Democratic Alliance and Inkatha Freedom Party in coalition or support agreements that affected internal Assembly leadership.
Notable Speakers have included Frene Ginwala, noted for presiding over the first post-apartheid Assembly; Baleka Mbete, associated with procedural rulings during the presidencies of Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma; and Max Sisulu, who oversaw oversight during high-profile inquiries involving the Public Protector and the Zondo Commission (Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture). Controversies have arisen around decisions on privilege invoked during debates about the Scorpions (Directorate of Special Operations), parliamentary access during the Fees Must Fall protests, and rulings on urgent questions related to the Arms Deal scandal and motions of no confidence in the President of South Africa.
The Speaker's office is supported by the Secretary to Parliament, the National Assembly administration, and staff including the Sergeant-at-Arms and clerks drawn from the Parliamentary Service Commission. Administrative functions include maintenance of the Assembly Chamber at the Parliamentary Precinct, Cape Town, oversight of budget allocations approved by the Parliamentary Budget Office, and coordination with the Parliamentary Communication Services for public information. The Speaker also chairs the Rules Committee and represents the Assembly within the Parliamentary Liaison Committee on cross-house matters and intergovernmental relations with provincial legislatures such as the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.