Democratic Alliance MP Annelie Lotrier described her new role as deputy speaker of the National Assembly as a big responsibility.
This comes after the ANC and DA reached an agreement last week to form a Government of National Unity (GNU) with the Patriotic Alliance, GOOD and the IFP.
ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the party will seek a government of national unity after failing to win a majority in last month's general election.
Lotrier spoke passionately about how historic this is.
“You know, we've been talking since the election about a government of national unity or a coalition government or even working together as political parties, and now when this becomes a reality and we have deputy speakers from another party and not the ANC who have always held these positions, then you realise what a historic event this is,” she said.
7th Parliament | Annelie Rotelier, Deputy Chairperson of the People's Party, speaks in Parliament:
Meanwhile, the PAC has changed its stance and joined the National Unity Government. It was part of a group of political parties that announced their opposition to the government last week under the banner of the Progressive Parliamentary Group.
The party's secretary-general Apa Poo told SABC News the party was joining the GNU based on the belief that the PAC could effectively steer the country away from right-wing tendencies and safeguard the gains it has made so far.
“PAC believes there is a need to move the current GNU away from its right-wing tendencies and we are confident that with PAC joining the GNU, the issue of land restoration will be easily brought up and become central to this formation,” Pooe said.