No need for a debate into Ramaphosa's opening of Parliament, says NCOP

CAPE TOWN - Parliament says there’s no need for a debate into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s opening of Parliament address in July.
 
Members of Parliament (MPs) from both houses of parliament ordinarily debate the president’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), which marks the official start of parliament.
 
But the view this time around is that the post-election address by the president is largely ceremonial and requires no debate by parties when the seventh term kicks off in July.
 
In February, MPs debated Ramaphosa’s SONA over two days.

But with the change in parliamentary rules, the SONA is now distinct from the opening of parliament address, which takes place after every election.

National Council of Provinces (NCOP) secretary Modibedi Phindela told the programme committee on Thursday that the matter must be discussed by both houses.

“The opening of parliament address. Our view for now is that it may not be necessary to debate the opening of parliament address because that would be a ceremonial sitting.”

The NCOP has also moved the outstanding election of its deputy chairperson to Tuesday next week as Government of National Unity (GNU) talks continue on who will serve where in Parliament.