MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / Archives for Xolile George

Xolile George

Financial Management of Parliament Committee Welcomes Progress on Quarterly Performance

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
Download logo

The Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament on Tuesday welcomed Parliament's performance for the first three quarters of the 2024/25 financial year.

The committee received a briefing from the executive authority and administrative management on Parliament's cumulative performance over this time. It noted that the quarterly reports reflect steady progress on the institution's core functions, such as legislation and oversight, although some challenges remain.

The committee noted that Parliament achieved 70% of its targets by December last year. Among the targets not achieved were those set for the restoration and rebuilding of Parliament project. Members heard from the Secretary to Parliament, Mr Xolile George, that this project experienced delays, especially with the Old Assembly building. Following these delays, restoration work in the Old Assembly is now set to start in May this year. Despite members' concerns with the timeline, given the winter months ahead, they were assured that the project is still on track to be completed by December 2026.

Noting this, the Co-Chairperson, Mr Molapi Lekganyane, reminded members that the committee will receive a comprehensive update on the restoration project by 28 March and that they will also do a physical inspection to assess progress for themselves.

Members also had questions regarding Parliament's implementation of the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector, including Organs of State (Zondo Commission). Mr George assured members that parliamentary committees have consistently reviewed and implemented the recommendations to ensure greater accountability in government departments and entities.

The committee welcomed Parliament's efforts to expand its digital and public engagement tools with, among other things, an online petition system, which is anticipated to streamline the petition process further. Members heard that Parliament is developing an online petition monitoring and tracking system to improve public participation and responsiveness to citizen concerns. The aim is to develop an e-petition solution that will automate the process of handling petitions, lessening the time it takes to process them.

The committee heard that the focus in the reporting period was the front-end development of the online petitions interface, integration with the existing website, workflow design, and system functionality testing and readiness for going live. Members, however, urged that the online system should supplement the existing process and not replace it, as many people in remote rural settings still lack internet connection.

The committee also noted Parliament's efforts to strengthen its legislation and oversight through, among other things, the impact assessment framework. Members heard that the pilot implementation of the framework aims to conduct pre-and post-assessment of legislation considered and passed by Parliament. The impact assessment framework will serve as the basis for evaluating the viability of legislation and its subsequent impact on citizens. The focus for the quarter was to pilot the framework on four selected bills, but there is still a need for more stakeholder engagement to refine the framework before full implementation.

Noting and welcoming the quarterly performance reports, Mr Lekganyane said that responses to issues members raised must be outlined in reports to the committee.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Read moreFinancial Management of Parliament Committee Welcomes Progress on Quarterly Performance

Parliament ready for National Assembly sitting

Location: News

Parliament ready for National Assembly sitting

Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George, has described the first sittings of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) as a reflection of the electoral mandate of the people of South Africa, as expressed in the recent elections.

“The people have spoken. They have chosen a Parliament that will represent them, as freely elected representatives as reflected in the preamble of the Constitution, to champion their causes, and serve their interests for the next five years,” he said on Thursday. 

George held a media briefing on Thursday as Parliament gears up to host the first sittings of the two Houses of Parliament scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

Tomorrow’s proceedings will also see Members of Parliament (MPs) electing a President who will form the seventh administration to govern the nation. 

“Over the past months, the administration of Parliament has undertaken extensive preparatory work to ensure a seamless transition from the sixth term to the seventh term of Parliament. This has been a pivotal moment for us as a nation, involving a delicate constitutional process that has not been without its challenges.”

He touched on the challenges they have had to overcome such as court challenges to ensure the success of these important inaugural sittings of the two Houses of Parliament. 

“This collective effort underscores our commitment to upholding the democratic principles underpinning our Constitution and ensuring that the will of the people is effectively translated into action.

“With each step in this constitutional process having been meticulously followed and adhered to, we now stand at the cusp of yet another critical milestone in the history of our constitutional democracy.” 

George explained that it was the Chief Justice Raymond Zondo’s responsibility to determine the dates for the first sittings of both Houses to preside over these sittings. 

“Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has diligently complied with these constitutional obligations, ensuring that the two Houses of Parliament hold their first sittings within the prescribed 14-day period as mandated by the Constitution.” 

The Secretary announced that the inaugural sittings will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Parliamentary process

The Chief Justice will open the session and preside over the swearing-in of all the permanent delegates appointed by their respective provinces. 

“This will follow the first sittings of the provincial legislatures to elect permanent and non-permanent delegates to the NCOP. 

“After presiding over the swearing-in of the 54 designated permanent delegates, the Chief Justice will also chair the election of the Chairperson of the Council.” 

Once elected, the new Chairperson will take over the proceedings and preside over the election of the Deputy Chairpersons.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Justice Zondo will also preside over the election of the Speaker of the NA and then he or she will take over the proceedings and preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker.

“These elections are crucial for the proper constitution of the National Assembly, as they ensure the leadership structure is in place to guide the House’s functions and duties.”

Once the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected, George explained that the NA will then be constitutionally competent to proceed with electing a Member of the Assembly to be inaugurated as the President. 

“This is a crucial process, as it sets the stage for the formation of the new administration that will govern the country. Once elected, the person ceases to be a Member of Parliament.”

George has assured citizens that all necessary voting infrastructure has been meticulously prepared to ensure a smooth and secure election process. 

This includes the setup of voting booths for privacy, the provision of ballot boxes for the collection of votes, the preparation of the voters’ roll to verify eligible voters, and the availability of safety boxes for the secure safekeeping of ballot papers.

“We are fully prepared for the first sittings ... Our comprehensive preparations ensure that every aspect of these inaugural sessions, from logistical arrangements to security measures, have been meticulously planned and implemented.

“We are confident that the proceedings will unfold smoothly and effectively, marking the successful commencement of the 7th democratic Parliament,” said George. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile
Thu, 06/13/2024 - 15:37

406 views
Read moreParliament ready for National Assembly sitting

Date set for Presidential inauguration

Location: News

Date set for Presidential inauguration

The Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George, has announced that the inauguration of the President-elect will be held in Pretoria on Wednesday next week.

This comes as the National Assembly will hold its first sitting tomorrow at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where the President will be elected following the swearing in of Members of Parliament.

The first sittings of the National Assembly on Friday and the National Council of Provinces on Saturday represents the establishment of the new parliamentary term, following the elections on 29 May 2024.

After receiving the list of candidates from Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Parliament has been interfacing with the elected Members and their respective parties to capture their details into the parliamentary system.

The first sitting of the National Assembly will commence with the swearing-in of all designated members in attendance by the Chief Justice. Following the swearing-in ceremony, the Chief Justice will also preside over the election of the Speaker of the National Assembly.

“Once elected, the newly appointed Speaker will take over the proceedings and preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker. These elections are crucial for the proper constitution of the National Assembly, as they ensure the leadership structure is in place to guide the House’s functions and duties.

“With the Speaker and Deputy Speaker elected, the National Assembly will then be constitutionally competent to proceed with its first major task – the election of the man or woman from amongst the Members of the Assembly, to be inaugurated as the President of the Republic.

“This is a crucial process, as it sets the stage for the formation of the new administration that will govern the country. Once elected, the person ceases to be a Member of Parliament,” said George.

He said the Constitution stipulates that once elected as President by the National Assembly, the President-elect must assume office within five days by taking an oath or affirming their faithfulness to the Republic and their obedience to the Constitution.

George said that after the conclusion of the first sittings, members will proceed to attend the inauguration of the President-elect, which is scheduled for 19 June 2024 in Pretoria. – SAnews.gov.za

Janine
Thu, 06/13/2024 - 15:06

104 views
Read moreDate set for Presidential inauguration

Parliament notes dates for first sittings of National Assembly

Location: News

Parliament notes dates for first sittings of National Assembly

Parliament has noted the dates for the first sittings of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), as confirmed by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on Monday.

“The Chief Justice confirmed 14 and 15 June as the dates for the first sittings of the Houses of Parliament in a letter to the Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George,” Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said.

READ | First sitting of the National Assembly to be held on Friday

According to Section 51(1) of the Constitution, the first sitting of the National Assembly must take place at a time and on a date determined by the Chief Justice and within 14 days after the election results have been declared.

Mothapo explained that during the first sitting of the NA, the Chief Justice will swear in the designated members and administer the oath or affirmation of faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the Constitution. 

All members must take this oath or affirm faithfulness before they can perform their functions in the assembly.

“Following the swearing in of the members, the Chief Justice will preside over the election of the NA Speaker. Once the Speaker has been elected, he or she will then preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker,” Mothapo said.

After the Deputy Speaker has been elected, the Chief Justice will then take over again and preside over the election of the President.

In the NCOP on 15 June, the Chief Justice will swear in and administer the prescribed oath and affirmation to the members and thereafter preside over the election of the NCOP Chairperson. The Chairperson will preside over the election of the NCOP Deputy Chairperson.

The rules that will apply during the first sittings were gazetted by the Office of the Chief on 30 May 2024.

The sittings will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 06/11/2024 - 08:37

74 views
Read moreParliament notes dates for first sittings of National Assembly

Parliament working to usher in new representatives

Location: News

Parliament working to usher in new representatives

Parliamentary administrations are hard at work in preparation to receive and welcome the newly elected representatives of the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures.

This is according to Secretary of Parliament Xolile George, who was speaking during the official handover of the lists of new representatives on Thursday at the Constitutional Court.

The lists were handed over by Electoral Commission of South Africa Chairperson, Mosotho Moepya, to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo who in turn handed them to George.

South Africans headed to the polls last week to elect new representatives for the seventh administration in the country’s most competitive elections since the dawn of democracy in 1994.

“[Let] me take this opportunity, on behalf of our National Parliament, to extend gratitude, respect and congratulations to the people of South Africa who showed up in their numbers to exercise their Constitutional right to participate in our seventh democratic elections to determine their government and their national and provincial representatives.

“As the Parliamentary Administrations across the legislative sector, we have been hard at work preparing to welcome the elected representatives of the National Assembly and the Provincial Legislatures and the establishment of our sventh democratic Parliament and the nine Provincial Legislatures,” George said.

He outlined the “on boarding” processes that Parliament will undertake for the newly elected members of the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces and the Provincial Legislatures.

“We have critically considered the parliamentary rules, mechanisms and processes to ensure that the work of Members of Parliament is facilitated and supported effectively.

“Arrangements are in place for the first sittings of the National Assembly, the Provincial Legislatures and the National Council of Provinces.

“With the receipt of the official list of elected representatives I assure the Chief Justice and our nation that our work will continue in earnest to ensure seamless, efficient and effective foundational processes, so that the work of Members of both Houses of Parliament and the Provincial Legislatures can commence without delay,” he said.

Will of the people

At the handover ceremony, Moepya revealed that Parliament will be made up of 174 females (43.5%) and 226 males (56.5%).

The age range for the representatives is as follows:

  • 12 candidates are aged 20 to 29
  • 67  are in the 30 to 39 age band
  • 110 are between 40 and 49
  • 110 are 50 to 59
  • 90 are 60 to 69
  • 11 are 70 and above

“These representatives reflect the choices, hopes and aspirations of millions of citizens who exercised their democratic rights.

“This list is not exhaustive – an election touches the lives of everyone in a nation. Their commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent election has been truly commendable,” Moepya said.

He emphasised that the lists handover is a critical part of South Africa’s democratic processes.

“We do so in keeping with an established practice in South Africa that after the announcement by the Electoral Commission of the results of the National and Provincial Elections the Electoral Commission hands over the lists of members of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures to the Chief Justice, who then hands them over to the Secretary to Parliament.

“This momentous occasion signifies the culmination of a robust and transparent electoral process, a process that echoes the unified voice of our nation.

“[Our] role as the Electoral Commission…is to ensure that South African voters exercise their rights to choose their leaders. We have carried out these responsibilities without fear, favour or prejudice. The lists that we present…reflect the choices of South Africans,” Moepya said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Fri, 06/07/2024 - 09:49

59 views
Read moreParliament working to usher in new representatives

MP, MPLs lists handed over to Parliament Secretary

Location: News

MP, MPLs lists handed over to Parliament Secretary

Secretary of Parliament, Xolile George, has now officially received the list of elected representatives who will make up the National Assembly for South Africa’s seventh Parliament.

George received the list from Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in a handover ceremony held at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Earlier in the ceremony, Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) chairperson Mosotho Moepya handed over that list and another list of those expected to serve in the Provincial Legislatures to the Chief Justice.

“As South Africans, we have again demonstrated to the world, that despite the numerous global and domestic challenges that we face, we are steadfast in maintaining the integrity of our Constitution and our commitment to our growing democracy through, again, conducting peaceful and efficient elections.

“This is a track record that all South Africans should be proud of. South Africa's young democracy shines as a beacon of hope, not just for our nation, but for all those who believe in the power of the people to shape their own destiny through free and fair elections.

“This is indeed a historic moment in the maturity of our democracy, where political parties are compelled to work together to establish a government and a Parliament that represents the will and aspirations of the people,” George said.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said the handover of the lists from the IEC to the Chief Justice and in turn to the Secretary of Parliament “marks an important milestone in our Constitutional democracy”.

“Now that the list is here, one knows who will be members of Parliament who will convene on the first day of the sitting. The announcement of the date for the first sitting of Parliament will be the next step. That…will be announced by the Chief Justice and I think it’s going to happen pretty soon.

“The judiciary will play its role to make sure that our Constitutional democracy runs as smoothly as it should,” Zondo said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Thu, 06/06/2024 - 17:26

297 views
Read moreMP, MPLs lists handed over to Parliament Secretary

Just What Does the South African Secretary of Parliament Do For R5 Million?

Location: News

When one reads the term ‘Secretary’ one traditionally thinks of a woman, in glasses, dressed up, immaculate, eye candy personifying the term ‘wonder bra’, typing, making bookings, fetching laundry, underpaid, walking encyclopaedia, legal secretary, Human Resources wizard and basically a ‘work wife’ to an overpaid, oversexed, overweight, golf and liquor obsessed bum pinching male boss. …

Read moreJust What Does the South African Secretary of Parliament Do For R5 Million?