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SOUTH AFRICA
National Assembly
PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module

Parliament name Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name National Assembly
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) National Council of Provinces
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title Speaker of the National Assembly
Term - duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: loss of mandate, removal by resolution of the National Assembly, resignation, dissolution of Parliament, death
Appointment - elected by all Members of the National Assembly at the first sitting of the newly elected Parliament or whenever the office becomes vacant
- after Members are sworn in
Eligibility - any Member has to be formally candidate
- nomination must be signed by 2 Members and the candidate
Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot in one round (or more if no candidate obtains a majority)
- majority is required for all the votes cast; in the event of equality of votes, a new round is held

Procedures / results - the Chief Justice, or judge nominated by him, presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the Chief Justice (who may appoint persons to assist him) supervises the voting
- the Chief Justice, or judge presiding, announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged
STATUS
Status - his/her rank is equivalent to a Cabinet Minister
- the Speaker of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate preside on monthly rotational basis over joint sittings of both Chambers
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- represents the Assembly in international bodies, with the President of the Senate such as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Inter-Parliamentary Union
- is ex officio Chairman of the Rules Committee
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions

Board
Material facilities - salary (R 320 400 pa)
+ parliamentary allowance (R 32 400 pa)
+ motorcar allowance (R 70 560 pa)
- accident insurance
- unlimited domestic air, rail and bus travel at the expense of Parliament
- official residence
- official car, with a permanent driver/body guard
- secretary + personal assistant
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions, in consultation with the Leader of the House
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study
- examines the admissibility of request for setting up committees which must comply with the Rules; may establish a committee during a period of adjournment of at least 14 days, after consultation with a Whip of each party

Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- may withdraw permission to speak if a Member speaking transgresses Rules, but list of speakers is determined by the Whips
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up
- verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- can check the quorum when lack of quorum is drawn to Speaker's attention by a Member
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates

Special powers - sets policy within which the Assembly's budget is compiled
- delegates specified responsabilities to the Secretary of Parliament in recruiting, assigning and promoting staff
- responsible for policy in organizing the services of the Assembly
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments, jointly with the President of Senate
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Assembly
Speaking and voting rights, other functions - takes the floor in legislative debates
- takes part in voting only in event of equality votes
- may only intervene in the parliamentary oversight procedures to ensure observance of Rules
- may bring to the attention of the Executive if any bill does not comply with constitutional requirements
- may be consulted in certain circumstances (dissolution, appointment of the Prime Minister, institution of exceptional powers by the Head of State, etc.)

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