Commonwealth Parliamentarians in South Africa relaunch CPA South Africa Branch

Members of the Parliament of South Africa have held a virtual relaunch of the South Africa Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Chapter of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP). The Parliament of South Africa is a bicameral Legislature and consists of two Houses: the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

The virtual launch was convened by Hon. Solomon L. Tsenoli MP, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, who is also a representative of the CPA Africa Region on the International CPA Executive Committee.

Members of Parliament from the CPA South Africa Branch first heard from Hon. Amos N. Masondo, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces and Joint CPA South Africa Branch President, about the strategic significance of the launch. He said:

“Our overall purpose is to build an informed parliamentary community that is able to contribute to deepening the Commonwealth’s democratic commitments and to further cooperation amongst its Parliaments and Legislatures.” To read the opening remarks in full please click here.

Guest speakers at the virtual launch event included:

• Hon. Dr Grace Naledi M. Pandor MP, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, who spoke about the role of South Africa in multilateralism, with a specific emphasis on the engagement of both the Legislature and the Executive with different Commonwealth structures including the CPA.

• The Chairperson of the CPA Africa Region, Rt Hon. Justin B. Muturi EGH MP, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Parliament of Kenya, joined the event by video link and highlighted the progress made in transforming the CPA both internationally and across the wider Region.

• Hon. Angela Thoko Didiza MP, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reform and former Chairperson of the CWP Africa Region, gave her reflections on the role of South Africa in the wider CWP.

• Hon. Adv Lindiwe Maseko gave a historical perspective of the CPA and CWP and recalled her experiences as a former Chairperson of the CPA Africa Region and the first International Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians.

At the meeting, Adv M. E. Phindela, Secretary to the National Council of Provinces of South Africa, was endorsed as the CPA South Africa Branch Secretary.

To view the CPA South Africa Branch virtual launch event please click here or view below: 

South Africa was one of the six original founding Members of the now Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in 1911. The CPA South Africa Branch was first established in 1912 and later re-joined the CPA in January 1995 following a period of absence.

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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

For media enquiries, please contact communications@cpahq.org.