Western Cape Provincial Parliament becomes the first legislature in South Africa to go virtual and one of the first few in the world to do so with live broadcast.
The virtual parliament which will kick off at 14:15 on 23 April 2020, will on it’s agenda direct questions without notice to the Premier Alan Winde.
MPP Mireille Wenger says the Western Cape Provincial Parliament is the first in South Africa and one of the few in the world.
“The Western Cape Provincial Parliament is not only the first provincial legislature in the country to host sitting of the house, but also one of the very few in the world ready to go virtual so quickly and to broadcast live on social media,” said Wenger.
Western Cape virtual Provincial Parliament follows another virtual meeting called the COVID-19 Ad-Hoc Oversight Committee which meets on a bi-weekly basis.
Wenger also adds that the selection of those members who will ask questions to the Premier took place in a random draw.
“The selection of members who will ask questions to the Premier took place in a random draw conducted by the Secretary to Parliament , and witnessed by representatives of political parties virtually.
These are Members of the Legislature who were selected at the draw:
- Hon Khalid Sayed (ANC)
- Hon Lorraine Botha (DA)
- Hon Gillion Bosman (DA)
- Hon Brett Herron (GOOD)
- Hon Cameron Dugmore (ANC)
- Hon Peter Marais (FF+)
Members of the public will be able to view the committee online.
Other countries that have launched virtual parliamentary sittings in the world include Brazil, New Zealand.