GEORGE NEWS - Two members of the EFF and one ANC member from George were inaugurated yesterday, 22 May, in Cape Town, to serve in the sixth democratic parliament.
On the DA front the current speaker of the Garden Route District Municipality, Eleanore Bouw-Spies (from Knysna), has also joined the National Assembly.
The two EFF members in George who are now members of parliament are Natasha Ntlangwini, who will serve a second term, this time joined by Laetitia Arries, a current George Council member.
According to Hein Scheepers, EFF regional spokesperson, the name of the member of the regional command who will replace Arries in the George Council should be released within the next week.
Scheepers said the EFF is excited, because George will be heard in parliament. "Having two representatives will help with community-based issues. We are very excited and happy with the growth of the movement. We genuinely want an equal society where everybody can share in the wealth of the nation," he said.
For the ANC, Spokuhle Patrein from Thembalethu will serve in the National Assembly. As a darling of the ANC Youth League, Patrein has never served in any municipality.
Cameron Dugmore (originally from George) was appointed over the weekend as the chief whip of the official opposition in the Western Cape Legislature.
EFF MP Natasha Ntlangwini will serve a second term in the National Assembly.
Darryll Sauer, ANC chairperson of the George sub-region, congratulated their members with their inclusion in parliament. "As soon as the inauguration has taken place the work is starting to serve our communities," he said.
ANC's Spokuhle Patrein from Thembalethu will serve in the National Assembly.
• The EFF grew from 6% in 2014 to 10% of the national voters percentage in 2019. They received 16 extra seats in National Parliament.
• The National Assembly will have 400 members represented from 14 political parties, while the National Council of Provinces will have 10 permanent and non-permanent delegates from each of the nine provinces. Seats in the National Assembly are allocated proportionally.
The ANC has 230 seats in the National Assembly, the DA has 84, the EFF has 44, followed by the Inkatha Freedom Party with 14 and the Freedom Front Plus with 10.
The rest of the seats are divided among the smaller parties.
The current Speaker of the Garden Route District Municipality, Eleanore Bouw-Spies (from Knysna), has also joined the National Assembly. Photo: Michelle Pienaar
Laetitia Arries, EFF George councillor, was inaugurated yesterday to serve on the National Assembly.
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