Mthembu, Ramphele Going to Parliament


By Oliver Ngwenya    17-May-2014 15:22 UTC+02:00 3
Image: The New Age

Image: The New Age

As we move away from the elections, many parties are already thinking about parliament and have started putting together their parliamentary lists. Several parties on Friday released lists of those of its members that will be representing them on different levels of the legislature.

The African National Congress’s list showed, a number of changes but focus needs to be drawn to the fact that a number of their veteran politicians were retained, particularly at national level. The national spokesperson, Mr Jackson Mthembu was also retained by the party to represent it in parliament. Aptly dubbed the spin doctor, Mthembu who was once President Mandela’s spokesman, told reporters that he was humbled by the gesture that had been taken by the ruling party. He added that he was willing to do any duty that the party requested of him. He elaborated on the ills of his former job which include being woken up in the early hours as well as not having time for his family while working from Luthuli House.

Also making waves is the fact that Dina Pule who originally decline the ANC prior to the election was still on the list of those going to parliament. The former communications minister still appears as number seventy. On this, Mthembu suggested that it may have been an error on the part of the IEC. The top ten has also not changed, being Jacob Zuma, Cyril Ramaposa, Malusi Gigaba, Naledi Pandor, Jeff Radebe, fikile Mbalula, Blade Nzimande, Bathabile Dlamini, Lindiwe Sisulu and Collins Chabane. Also going to parliament was Tito Mboweni, who is at number eighty-one, as is Pule Mabe who has pending fraud charges against her who appears on the final list. Responding to this appointment, Jackson Mthembu argued that he could not comment on placements, adding that he had complete faith in the committee chaired by Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe.

It has also been reported that, despite earlier indications of laying off politics for some time, Mamphele Ramphele was on the AgangSA’s final list together with Molape Plouamma. Tha AgangSA leader had indicated that she wanted to take a step back and spend time with family and friends.



 3 Comments


  1. Aubrey Mbusi Hlongwane says:

    Wise move for ANC to take Mthembu to Parliament. He has been loyal to the organisation for so long, he deserve the break…!!! Thank you ANC.

  2. Mashatola MASHATOLA says:

    Let THE WORK BEGIN PEOPLE R WAITING FOR UR ACTION. PLS CLEAN UR ACT ANC WE R ON URSIDE FOR EVER. SPIRIT OF THAMBO,SISULU,MBHEKI N MANDELA ARISE LIVE WITH U ANC.

  3. Mr Malete Relebohile says:

    It sound so gud, if parties on parliament plan 2 work together to rise RSA

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