Naledi Pandor, Bheki Cele, Thandi Modise and Thulas Nxesi among ministers not returning to Parliament
On Thursday, the secretary to Parliament will be receiving the list of designated members from the chief justice in preparation for the first sitting of the house.
International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor. Picture: @DIRCO_ZA/X
CAPE TOWN - Long-serving ministers Naledi Pandor, Bheki Cele, Thandi Modise and Thulas Nxesi are among those who won’t be making a return to Parliament after the African National Congress (ANC) lost 71 seats in last week’s election.
This reduction means they have not made the cut on the list published by the Electoral Commission of South Africa on Wednesday, which will be handed to the chief justice in a special ceremony on Thursday.
After appearing in court for corruption charges on Wednesday, Zizi Kodwa’s return as a member of Parliament (MP) also hangs in the balance after he also resigned as sports, arts and culture minister.
On Thursday, the secretary to Parliament will be receiving the list of designated members from the chief justice in preparation for the first sitting of the house.
The ANC’s bruising majority defeat spells the end of a long political road for many of its career politicians.
The old guard who appeared lower down on the list will pave the way for some new young members.
But there will be a surprise return by former Public Enterprises and Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, who resigned under a state capture cloud in 2018.
Former Communications Minister Dina Pule, who also left under a corruption cloud in 2013, will also be making a comeback.
Meanwhile, political newcomers Action SA has announced it won’t be sending its leader Herman Mashaba to the house neither its national chairperson Michael Beaumont.
Instead, it will be led by veteran MP Athol Trollip who once took charge of the DA caucus in the house.
Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane will be making his return after a sudden departure from the legislature in 2019 when he resigned as DA leader.
The Patriotic Alliance’s Gayton Mckenzie, the National Coloured Congress’ Fadiel Adams and Rise Mzansi’s Songezo Zibi will all be making their parliamentary debut.
Despite a legal battle over Jabulani Khumalo topping the list of the MK Party - he is also set to be sworn in as an MP as well as former statesman Jacob Zuma’s daughter Duduzile.