Newly elected Speaker of Parliament Thoko Didiza will lead a very fragile parliament in this seventh democratic Congress, but those who have worked with her say she is up to the task.
She was elected Speaker of the National Assembly on Friday night.
Thoko Didiza was born in Durban in 1965. He was elected to Parliament in 1994, aged 29, and has served in various ministerial positions, including public works, agriculture and land reform.
Her experience as speaker of the National Assembly in 2016 will come in handy, as during her tenure she was able to quell violent lawmakers.
One example is the debate on the 2016 social development budget: “Ladies and gentlemen, do you want to continue this debate or do you want to stop it? Can we please maintain order? Mamukaura, can we stop now? Can we maintain order?”
In 2019, Didiza also demonstrated his ability to quash misconduct by a member of parliament.
Speaker: “Your Excellency Madisha, you have really used up your time. Thank you so much!”
Madisha: “Horn, horn, horn.”
Didiza is the eighth Speaker of the National Assembly, while Baleka Mbete served two terms as Speaker. In her inaugural speech she pledged neutrality.
“The role of the Speaker is to ensure that debate in this Parliament is conducted fairly and within the rules. I am committed to doing just that, working with my team in the Speaker's Office and a duly elected Speaker of the House. I am also committed to working with all political parties led by their Whips and Leaders to ensure that Parliament is conducted in a way that truly reflects the will of the South African people.”
Didiza will be well aware that the two former chairpersons were accused of being biased and defending the administration and will ensure that he operates without fear or favouritism in order to be respected.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) national chairperson Veronica Mente voiced her support for the new chairman.
“We trust that she will do the right thing. She will be a neutral voice, she will bring public attention, she will ensure there is oversight, she will ensure the executive branch is accountable, she will ensure that Parliament writes the laws and she will look after all of us as a parliamentarian.”
The Speaker's Office plays a vital role in parliamentary decision-making, and some critics expect the Speaker to be objective.
“It will be very interesting to see how some of the recommendations from the committee are handled in the Speaker's office given the fact that they are responsible for holding the executive branch to account. In the past, some Speakers have been accused of lacking objectivity,” said Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast, a political analyst.
Didiza began his career as a member of parliament in 1994 and currently heads the parliament.
Executive Director Lawson Naidoo explained, “She has always stood out as a politician of honesty, integrity and depth. I am confident that she will bring Parliament up to the standards expected of this preeminent institution in our constitutional democracy. I know that the first Speaker of the National Assembly, Freine Ginwala, thought very highly of Thoko and today she will be very pleased that Thoko Didiza will be one of her successors.”
One of Didiza's first tests will be how she handles the EFF's emergency motion calling for an investigation into President Cyril Ramaphosa's paramour scandal – the motion was tabled on the day of her election.
7th Parliament | Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza presides over election of Vice Speaker:
