6 May 2009, First sitting of the National Assembly
After the Independent Electoral Commission announces the results of the elections, the Chief Justice and head of the Constitutional Court calls for and presides over the first meeting of the National Assembly. The first item on the agenda of this meeting of the National Assembly is for the members of the National Assembly to be sworn in. Their names are put forward by the political parties that have received enough votes to claim seats in the National Assembly.

Once members have been sworn in, the Chief Justice announces the procedure for the election of the President of the Republic and the Speaker. 

The Chief Justice presides over the election of these two office-bearers. The Speaker in turn presides over the election of the Deputy Speaker.

If there is only one nomination for each of these positions, the nominated candidate is duly elected. If more than one nomination is received, the National Assembly elects the candidate by secret ballot.
 
The President, once elected, stops being a member of the National Assembly and must assume duty within five days.

The National Assembly is made up of 400 Members of Parliament.

The number of seats allocated to each party depends on the proportion of votes that parties get in the general election. MPs are appointed by their political parties from lists that the parties compile.

7 May 2009, First Sitting of the National Council of Provinces
Although the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 provides that the provincial legislatures have to appoint their permanent delegates to the NCOP within a period of 30 days from the date of the elections, the provincial legislatures are generally constituted and able to appoint their permanent delegates within a much shorter time. The NCOP is usually constituted within approximately one or two weeks after the National Assembly.

A similar process, as in the National Assembly is followed whereby Members are sworn in, and a Chairperson is elected.  These proceedings are presided over by the Chief Justice.

The newly elected Chairperson then presides over the election of the Deputy Chairpersons.

The NCOP represents the provinces to ensure that their interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government as stated in the Constitution.

9 May 2009, President’s Inauguration
Following the election of the president during the first sitting of the National Assembly, the President-elect takes the oath of office of President of the Republic of South Africa during a ceremony called the President’s Inauguration.  The event  takes place at the seat of Government at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, and is attended by Heads of States from around the world, diplomats, government agencies, and Members of Parliament amongst others.

12 – 22 May, Induction and Training of all Members of Parliament
The project is required to facilitate the provision of induction for Members as well as training of Committees Members and Chairpersons of Committees. The key purpose of the induction and training is to provide Members with knowledge required to settle into and function in Parliament, understand the processes and business of Parliament and perform work of Committees efficiently and effectively.

The project will not provide a long term training programme for Members as this is covered by the Leadership Programme and Legislative Support Programme.

3 June 2009, State of the Nation Address (SONA)
After the elections, and the formation of the new Parliament, the President of the Republic Addresses the nation from Parliament during a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

The SONA is also an annual event that happens on the first or second Friday in February,  where the President reflects on Government’s achievements and sets out the programme and priorities of the Government for the future.