31 December 2022
As we bid farewell to the year 2022 and welcome the year 2023, the Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Amos Masondo, wish all South Africans a happy and successful 2023.
The beginning of a new year offers all of us collectively an opportunity to renew and recommit ourselves to work for a better South Africa. It is also an opportune time for the national legislature and public representatives to reflect on the work done and bring renewed vigour and energy to translate the vision of an activist and a responsive people’s Parliament into tangible action to improve the quality of life of South Africans.
We have come to the end of an eventful year for Parliament. We have been deeply distressed by the great devastation that has affected our institution, the fire that gutted the National Assembly and some parts of the Old Assembly buildings. However, the tragedy proved our resilience as an institution as we collectively worked together and made it all possible to ensure that the business of Parliament was not interrupted.
With the provision of about R118 million towards ensuring business continuity of Parliament and R2 billion rand towards rebuilding costs, announced by the Minister of Finance during the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, the real work of restoring Parliament will begin in the new year.
Challenges notwithstanding, Parliament intensified its constitutional function of overseeing the executive, law-making and facilitating public involvement. Working with the people of this country, Parliament played a leading role as a platform for robust debates on issues of public importance, made key strides in facilitating and producing transformative legislation and vigorously pursued oversight without fear, favour or prejudice to hold the Executive to account.
Parliament has also put in place a comprehensive plan, with milestones, for the monitoring of the execution of the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, submitted to Parliament by the President together with the implementation plan. Much of this work, which includes implementation of remedial actions relating directly to the function of Parliament, will intensify in the new year.
No stone will be left unturned in ensuring these recommendations, which will strengthen the program of delivering a better life to South Africans and bolster the Constitutional function of Parliament, are fulfilled. The National Assembly Rules, including those adopted to strengthen accountability through tougher actions against members of the Executive for late or non-responses to questions by Members, are amongst the tools which will strengthen the oversight hand of Parliament.
Among the key programs for the year ahead is the State of the Nation Address (SONA) scheduled for 09 February 2023. The President will address both Houses of Parliament, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces in a joint sitting in the City of Cape Town Hall and highlight key policy priorities for the year. The Budget Speech by the Minister of Finance will follow thereafter to provide details of spending and proposals regarding the priorities outlined in the President’s speech.
As we close this year, the Presiding Officers are deeply concerned with the reported number of fatalities on the roads during this season, and once again they plead with road users to continue to act in a responsible manner that encourages the safety and security of everyone on the roads. The Presiding Officers also express their deepest condolences to all the people who lost their loved ones on the road since the start of the festive season, our hearts and prayers go out to them. Also devastating was the Boksburg gas tanker explosion which caused loss to life, injuries and damage to the infrastructure. We continue to stand with the affected families during this difficult time.
Lastly, the Presiding Officers would like to take this opportunity to wish the Matric Class of 2022 success as they await their National Senior Certificate results.
As a nation, we have come far, and in so many ways we have continuously proved to be resilient to all challenges that come our way. As we usher in the new year, may the spirit of hope, faith and love collectively give us strength to navigate the new year.
Happy New Year South Africa.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
