Johannesburg - The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has officially handed over the list of designated Members of Parliament (MPs) to Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng and the Secretary of Parliament.
Chairperson of the IEC, Advocate Pansy Tlakula, presented the list at a ceremony at the Constitutional Court on Friday.
The handover of the list paves the way for the swearing in of MPs and the election of the President next Wednesday.
According to the Constitution, the Chief Justice convenes the first sitting of the National Assembly after a general election, and presides over the election of the President and the Speaker of Parliament.
He also presides over the election of the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), which will take place next Thursday.
The oldest candidate on the MPs’ list is 85-years-old, while the youngest is 22-years from the Limpopo provincial legislature.
The average age is 50, according to Tlakula. With regards to gender representation, 42% of the MPs are women, while 58% are men.
Addressing the ceremony, Tlakula said the representatives are expected to serve all the interests of South Africans, even those who did not vote for them.
“We hope that you will serve South Africa with pride, honour, integrity and humility,” she said.
Receiving the list, Mogoeng reminded the MPs that their work was not about the fame, designer suits and photo opportunities, but rather the responsibilities that come with holding office.
“It is a very important pre-condition for the assumption of office, particularly in the higher echelons of all three branches of government. An oath is an appeal to the inner-most being of the taker, and impels an awakening of even a deadened conscience to connect intimately and with a great commitment,” said Mogoeng.
He added that an oath sets high standards, which functionaries must live and by which they must be judged.
Out of the 29 parties that contested the elections for the National Assembly, 13 parties won seats to be represented in Parliament.
The African National Congress (ANC) garnered the most seats in the National Assembly, acquiring 249 seats out of a total 400 seats.
Topping the ANC list is President Jacob Zuma, followed by Cyril Ramaphosa, while Malusi Gigaba is number three. Other familiar names include Fikile Mbalula, Lindiwe Sisulu, Angie Motshekga, Nathi Mthethwa and Naledi Pandor.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) obtained 89 seats in the National Assembly, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is in third place with 25 seats.
DA representatives include Solomon Mashoka, James Masango and Job Gluwa.
The EFF’s list includes Julius Malema, Mpho Ramakatsa and Magdeline Moonsamy.
Coming in fourth place is the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), which secured 10 seats, while the National Freedom Party (NFP) - which is a breakaway of the IFP - had the fifth highest number of seats in the National Assembly, garnering six seats.
IFP candidates include Mangosuthu Bhuthelezi and Judith Nkomo. The NFP includes Zanele Msibi and Sibusiso Mncwabe.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) garnered four seats, while the Congress of the People (Cope) got three seats - the same as the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP).
The published list is available on the IEC website www.elections.org.za. – SAnews.gov.za
