New leadership for the 7th Northern Cape Provincial Legislature
The Northern Cape Provincial Legislature has elected Fufe Makatong as its new Speaker, a move the legislature described as marking “a significant moment for the 7th Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, as the house begins a new chapter of leadership and parliamentary business.” The election was presided over by Northern Cape High Court Judge President Lazarus Pule Tlaletsi.
Makatong accepted the position emphasising humility and service to the province. In remarks reported by the legislature she said the appointment was a continuation of her public-service journey and vowed to work with the institution to bring the legislature closer to communities across the province.
“Today, I begin a new chapter in my journey of public service. I am deeply humbled and grateful to have been elected as Speaker of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature,” she said.
According to the legislature’s report, Makatong reflected on her various roles in government, from serving as a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) to holding positions in the Executive. She described her return to the legislature as being undertaken with “a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility.”
Focus on inclusivity and provincial reach
Makatong stressed that the legislature “belongs to the people” and listed the province’s district municipalities as examples of whose voices must be considered in the legislature’s work. She emphasised that whether residents are in Namakwa, John Taolo Gaetsewe, ZF Mgcawu, Frances Baard or Pixley ka Seme, their aspirations should be represented in parliamentary business.
- Strengthening democracy: Makatong said she accepts the role with a commitment to integrity, fairness and dedication.
- Community engagement: Bringing the legislature closer to communities across all districts was named a priority.
- Institutional continuity: The appointment is cast as a new chapter in the life of the 7th Legislature, signalling a restart of parliamentary processes under fresh leadership.
The legislature’s statement and Makatong’s comments stop short of detailing immediate procedural changes or a specific legislative agenda. They do, however, underline the Speaker’s intended focus on representation and oversight across the province’s sparsely populated and geographically large districts.
Why the Speaker matters to the Northern Cape
The Speaker presides over sittings of the legislature, enforces rules of order, and plays a central role in enabling parliamentary oversight of the provincial executive. In a province like the Northern Cape, where communities are dispersed across vast distances, the Speaker also acts as a public face of the legislature and can shape how accessible the institution is to citizens.
| District | Role in remarks |
|---|---|
| Namakwa | Named as example of communities whose voice must be heard |
| John Taolo Gaetsewe | Included in list of districts whose aspirations should find expression |
| ZF Mgcawu | Included as part of provincial outreach |
| Frances Baard | Included as part of provincial outreach |
| Pixley ka Seme | Included as part of provincial outreach |
Makatong said she does not take the appointment for granted and framed the role as being “not about me” but rather about strengthening democracy and ensuring the legislature’s work contributes to improving lives across the Northern Cape.
What comes next
The legislature will now continue with its programme under the new Speaker’s stewardship. The immediate tasks for Makatong will include managing the orderly conduct of sittings, presiding over the election of any other presiding officers if required, and engaging with members across party lines to ensure the legislature’s business proceeds effectively.
For residents and civil society in the Northern Cape, the Speaker’s stated emphasis on reaching communities offers a gauge by which her tenure may be assessed: whether parliamentary processes become more accessible, whether oversight of service delivery is strengthened, and whether marginalised areas see their issues brought more visibly into the provincial chamber.
The legislature’s public release concluded that the election of Makatong ushers the 7th Legislature into “a new chapter of leadership and parliamentary business.” The coming months will show how that chapter translates into practice across the province’s wide and varied landscape.
Reporting from Kimberley.
