MBOMBELA- The Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature convened a formal Sitting on Thursday to elect a
new Speaker.
This Sitting followed a vacancy in the Office of the Speaker after the appointment of former Speaker, Lindi Masina into the
Provincial Executive Council.
The Sitting was conducted in line with Section 111(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. To ensure the process was constitutionally compliant and impartial, the Chief Justice of South Africa designated the Judge President of the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, Segopotje Sheila Mphahlele, in terms of Section 111(2) of the Constitution, to preside over the proceedings.
Following a transparent election process, Makhosazane Masilela was duly elected as the new Speaker of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature. Her election marks a return to familiar ground, as she previously served with distinction in this role from 2 March 2020 until 28 May 2024 during the sixth Legislature.
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In her acceptance speech, Speaker Masilela expressed her deep appreciation to the members of the Legislature for the confidence placed in her. She committed herself to serving with honesty, integrity, and a people-centred approach to leadership.
“I stand here humbled and honoured by the trust bestowed upon me. I will never betray this confidence, and I pledge to uphold the values of this Legislature with dignity and dedication,” she affirmed.
She further acknowledged the work of her predecessor and committed to continuing the momentum of building a Legislature that is truly transparent, and rooted in the needs of the people.
“We are here to respond to the historic and social injustices of our past while building a better life for all. I will hit the ground running and ensure that our constitutional mandate of law-making, oversight, and public participation is fully realised.”
The Speaker emphasised her intention to work in a collaborative spirit with all political parties represented in the Legislature. She underlined that even in disagreement, there must be unity of purpose to deliver on the work of the Legislature.
“We are one people, one nation. It is only through mutual respect and a shared commitment to our constitutional duties that we can truly serve our communities,” she added.
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With her re-election completed, the Judge President officially granted the Speaker the authority to take the chair and proceed with the business of the day, marking the start of a new chapter in the seventh administration of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature.
All the political parties represented in the Legislature wished the Speaker well during her tenure and committed their unwavering support for her and the developmental work of the Legislature as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic. They all urged her to be impartial in directing the business of the Legislature and concentrate the work to making an impact to the people of
the province.
