PA leader Sharifa Ferris elected deputy Speaker of Northern Cape legislature

Sandi Kwon Hoo|Published 8 hours ago

PA provincial leader Sharifa Ferris has been appointed as the deputy Speaker of the legislature.

Image: File picture

PA PROVINCIAL leader Sharifa Ferris was elected unopposed as the new deputy Speaker of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature (NCPL) on Wednesday.

The vacancy was created after former deputy Speaker Mangaliso Matika was appointed as the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Speaker, Mpho Masina, said the deputy Speaker in the legislature also served as the chairperson of the following committees:

Chairperson of the Programming Committee
Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conduct
Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Internal Arrangements

She added that the deputy Speaker assumed all responsibilities, powers and functions in the absence of the Speaker.

“The deputy Speaker also presides over house debates and sittings and ensures that members of the provincial legislature observe the rules of the house. The deputy Speaker and Speaker are expected to always demonstrate impartiality and fairness towards all members of the legislature,” Masina stated.