Mr Pebane Moteka - EFF

P-Moteka

What is your political background? How did you become involved in politics and particularly, what drew you to your specific party?

I have been involved in labour politics since 1995. I was a shop steward as a member of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) for over ...

Infographic: Fifth Parliament - 2015 review in numbers

Parliament 2015 just drew to a close and the infographic below looks at how busy it was during each of its four terms, comparing numbers for committee meetings, constituency days, plenary sittings and legislation. Term 2 (April-June) was busiest in all respects - it had 35% of the 109 constituency ...

The Week Ahead: Farewells, loose ends and tussles

The constituency period beckons, with MPs due to depart at the end of the week and return to Parliament next year. But a fair amount of heavy-duty business will be done before they go.

It's a big week in the NA chamber with MPs scheduled to sit for long hours ...

Mr Jackson Mthembu - ANC

J-Mthembu

Political background: I’ve always been an activist and was involved in school and civic politics, including getting expelled from the University of Fort Hare. I was also very much involved in the unions – I was a founding member of what is now known as the National Union of Metal ...

Mr Geordin Hill-Lewis - DA

"We have got to identify and have honest discussions about those things that are holding us back. We have got to understand that the continued dominance of one political party is unhealthy for our future".

Geordin lewis

1. What is your political background? How did you come to join your political party ...

The Week Ahead: End of Third Term

The constituency period beckons but there is still time for a fair amount of heavy-duty business before MPs depart.

With little scheduled in the main chambers, the committee corridor will be the main source of parliamentary action, where there are several hearings on important issues and detailed legislating.

The lone ...

Representation: can we question the legitimacy of parliament?

By Raymond Suttner

In its opening words, phrased as a declaration and making known to all, the Freedom Charter embraces a claim to popular sovereignty and democratic rule, in the name of the people of South Africa. It immediately attacks the legitimacy of apartheid South Africa and simultaneously calls for ...

The Week Ahead: Parliament's third term kicks off

Parliament resumes this week after a three-week constituency period. The third term will run for ten weeks and the programme is packed with activities. Some of the highlights include committee, oversight and legislative work; oral questions to the President and the Executive; and the NCOP’s Provincial and Local Government Weeks. ...

EFF tactics have become somewhat tired

By Judith February

It’s becoming a matter of routine for presidential question time to be disrupted. Last week’s scenes in the National Assembly left little room for doubt - as if there was any, after the chaos of the State of the Nation address in February - that Parliament is ...

Constituency system is no cure for our voting shortfalls

By Mosotho Moepya

Over the past few months, we have witnessed a resurgence of debate and discussion about the appropriateness of SA’s electoral system. Commentators, academics and politicians have asked whether the proportional representation system is relevant, effective and appropriate 20 years into our democracy.

Those questioning the effectiveness of ...