North West Provincial Legislative Secretary Innocent Netsitumbu said preparations were well underway for the provincial assembly to open on Friday. The African National Congress (ANC) became the majority party in the provincial assembly after winning more than 53% of the vote in the recent elections.
Netsitumbu said all necessary arrangements had been made with political parties. The North-West provincial assembly once comprised 33 seats but now has 38.
Last month's national and provincial elections gave the ANC 23 seats, the EFF seven, the DA five, the Freedom Front Plus one and newcomers MK Party and ActionSA one seat each. The legislative meetings will take place at the same time as the first meeting of the National Assembly.
“The Chief Justice of South Africa must appoint a provincial judge to determine the date for the first sitting of Parliament. Currently, our provincial chief judge has determined 14 June, but this can be determined at any time. When determining the date, the provincial parliament does not necessarily have to sit after the National Assembly, it can be before, after or at the same time,” said NWPL Secretary General Innocent Netsitumbu.
Netsitumbu said the Chief Justice of the North West High Court, Judge Ronald Hendricks, would administer the oath of office to state legislators.
“The constitution says that before members of parliament can begin their duties they must take an oath or oath. So all members have to take an oath or oath and the oath or oath is administered by a judge. After everyone has taken the oath or oath we then proceed to elect the officers. The first officer will be the Premier of North West Province, then the Speaker of North West Province House of Assembly and then the Deputy Speaker.”
The chamber will also nominate permanent representatives to the National Council of States, with other chairpersons expected to be elected soon.
