First sittings of provincial legislatures: When are the new members taking oaths?

New members of provincial legislatures across South Africa will be sworn in from Thursday, 13 June. The first sitting would see the election of the premier, a Speaker, committee chairpersons and delegate representatives to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

This would mark the beginning of the seventh administration as the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) declared the 2024 National and Provincial Elections free and fair.

MEMBERS OF PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURES TO BE SWORN IN

The first sitting of the seventh legislature of the Western Cape is scheduled for Thursday, 13 June, at 9:00.

According to the Western Cape Government, newly elected Members of the Provincial Legislature will be sworn-in by the Acting Judge President of the Western Cape High Court, Particia L. Goliath. This will be followed by the election of the Premier, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

As per the IEC, Here’s how many seats political parties have in the province:

• DA – 24
• ANC – 8
• PA – 3
• EFF – 2
• ACDP – 1
• ALJAMA – 1
• GOOD – 1
• NCC – 1
• VF PLUS – 1

You can watch the proceedings below:

WHEN IS THE FIRST SITTING IN GAUTENG?

The first sitting in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature will be on Friday, 14 June at 10:00.

Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo is expected to preside over the swearing-in of the new members.

The province houses the country’s economic hub and will be governed through a coalition. No political party achieved an outright majority as support for the ANC declined to just 36%. Since the 2021 local government elections metropolitan municipalities in the province have been governed through coalitions.

Here’s how many seats political parties have:

• ANC – 28
• DA – 22
• EFF – 11
• MK PARTY – 8
• ACTIONSA – 3
• PA – 2
• VF PLUS – 2
• ACDP – 1
• BOSA – 1
• IFP – 1
• RISE MZANSI – 1

WHEN IS THE FIRST SITTING IN KWAZULU-NATAL

The first sitting in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature is also expected to be on Friday, 14 June.

Just like Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal will be governed through a coalition as no political party achieved an outright majority in the 29 May polls.

How many seats do political parties have?

• The Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party emerged as the biggest winner in KwaZulu-Natal with 37 seats. 
• The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has the second highest number of seats in the legislature with 15. 
• The African National Congress has 14 seats. 
• The Democratic Alliance (DA) has 11 seats while Julius Malema’s has two seats. 
• Lastly, late Zanele kaMagwaza Msibi’s National Freedom Party (NFP) has one seat. 

Earlier this week, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo confirmed that the first sitting of the National Assembly will be on Friday, 14 June.

Office of the Chief Justice said during the first sitting, he will administer the prescribed oaths or affirmation, as the case may be to members of the National Assembly.