Photo credit: Molapedi Mashashe/Daily Sun/Garo Images (via Getty Images)
The Gauteng provincial assembly has re-elected the ANC's Nomvuyo Mhlaqaza Manamela as deputy speaker following the resignation of the Democratic Alliance's Lefiloe Ntseke earlier this week.
Mhlakaza Manamela was elected unopposed at a special sitting of the provincial assembly on Thursday, after being nominated by provincial member for humanitarian settlements Tasneem Motala and supported by ANC floor leader Lesego Makhubela.
The special meeting was held after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced the new executive council members, which do not include any DA members, and Ntseke submitted his resignation.
This came after talks between the ANC and DA broke down over the number of seats each will have in the provincial cabinet.
Lesufi's new cabinet will be made up of seven ANC MPs and one each from the Inkatha Freedom Party, Patriotic Alliance and Rise Mzansi. The DA has announced it will set up a shadow cabinet to hold the newly formed executive branch and all ministries to account.
The premier said the door remained open for talks between the two parties but DA provincial leader Solly Msimanga rejected the invitation, saying his party would be part of the opposition in the province.
Ntseke was then instructed to step down in two weeks.
Speaker Molakane Mosphuyoye accepted Ntseke's resignation but said she would continue to remain a member of parliament.
Mulakaza Manamela, who previously served as Deputy Speaker in the 6th Government, expressed gratitude and humility in his inaugural speech.
“Last but not least, we inherited this institution from our predecessors and they gave it to us with credibility and dignity. I ask that we continue to uphold the dignity and decency of these institutions as our predecessors did. We will not let this house fall,” Mulakaza Manamela said.
She added that the people of Gauteng have empowered the Seventh Administration to work together to deliver services to residents.
“Putting aside our egos and political stances, what matters is that we continue to do our job of serving the people.”
Mospuyoye also called on members of the Legislative Council to work together to advance the interests of the people of Gauteng.
