Cope MPs get cool reception
2009-05-06 14:19
Cape Town - New MPs for Cope received a cool welcome from the ANC benches in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
When Cope leaders and former senior ANC members Mbhazima Shilowa, Mvume Dandala and Smuts Ngonyama were called forward to take their MP oaths the sound of jeers and boos filled the assembly.
Former Cosatu president Willie Madisha, now sitting in the back benches of Parliament for Cope, also received a sarcastic welcome from his former allies.
"I did expect that we would receive a different reception," Ngonyama, the former ANC spokesperson, said outside the National Assembly.
"But we started Cope with conviction and resolve to make sure the ruling party is challenged and to make sure that we have a stronger democracy."
Ngonyama said he felt strange to be up against his former colleagues. "It did feel strange," he said. "But we are determined to build strong debate in Parliament."
Watchful gaze
Ngonyama was one of 400 MPs to be sworn in by Chief Justice Pius Langa on Wednesday morning. ANC president Jacob Zuma is due to be elected South Africa's fourth post-apartheid president at 14:00.
New MPs took the oath or made a solemn affirmation in groups of 10 under the watchful gaze of VIPs and guests filling the public galleries above.
Zuma, outgoing Deputy President Mbete Baleka, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, ANC veteran Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and SA Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande were among the first to raise their right hands and accept their seats in the Assembly.
Education Minister Naledi Pandor rounded off the first 10.
Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya was not among the ANC MPs who took the oath. The party announced on Wednesday that he has resigned his seat for health reasons.
Great applause greeted the swearing in of ANC defectors Shilowa and Mluleki George, as they joined the opposition benches as members of Cope.
The four-month-old party has secured 30 seats in the house, but party president Terror Lekota will not be among its new MPs - after days of confusion he has opted to remain at party headquarters in Johannesburg.
Its MPS include former Cosatu president Willie Madisha, the party's second deputy president Lynda Odendaal and former SACP treasurer Philip Dexter.
- SAPA