Ginwala 'wary' of PAP post

2004-03-12 18:19

Johannesburg - Parliamentary speaker Frene Ginwala hinted on Friday that she might not take up a senior post with the Pan African parliament (PAP) if the seat was given to South Africa.

She said she personally believed a seat or leadership of an international institution should not be placed in one country.

"I don't think it is very democratic," she said, adding that South Africa was supported by the Southern African Development Community to be the seat for PAP.

Certain quarters have suggested that Ginwala should be given the top job and South Africa should become the seat of the body.

Each of the five regions of the African Union must nominate a member from that region to serve on the PAP leadership bureau.

A president and four vice-presidents of the continental body would be elected at the PAP inaugural session in Ethiopia on Wednesday next week, she said.

"The seat of the Pan African parliament will be determined by heads of state in July," Ginwala told reporters at the Gauteng legislature.

Chissano to open session

Egypt, Libya and South Africa were the only three countries on the continent competing to become the seat for PAP.

But, there was consensus that each AU region should have some organ to help build unity among Africans, said Ginwala.

Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano would open the PAP inaugural session, and Ethiopian President Hosni Mubarak was expected to address delegates.

After the two leaders had spoken at the meeting, the president and his four vice-presidents would be elected into office.

A total of 39 out of 53 on the continent have ratified PAP and 30 of them would be sending five designated members to the session.

Ginwala, national council of provinces deputy chairman Mninwa Mahlangu, African National Congress MP Nomakhosazana Njobe, New National Party MP Boy Geldenhuys and Hariett Ngubane of the Inkatha Freedom Party would attend the event on South Africa's behalf.

PAP would become a consultative and advisory body for the first five years of its existence and its members would meet twice a year during that time, she said.

- SAPA