Parliament, Thursday 28 January 2016 - National Assembly Speaker Ms Baleka Mbete today led a delegation of Parliament Presiding Officers in addressing over 100 members of the Diplomatic Corps in Pretoria.
The purpose of the engagement was to begin the New Year with a full brief of the progress in Parliament and also to give the Diplomats an understanding of the success of the previous Parliaments since the dawn of democracy in South Africa.
Included in her engagement with the Diplomats, is the character of the 5th Parliament and the robust activity that has taken place in House discussions on numerous issues, including the new rules which are to be adopted after the State of Nation Address, dress code of Members and many other areas of mutual interest where there are some shared experiences.
Diplomats were amongst other things interested in the developments in the country, progress South Africa has made since 1994 and how South Africa will deal with economic challenges that are being experienced the world over. Interest was shown in the State of The Nation Address, including all arrangements pertaining to logistics and of course the subject that has been raised through various media outlets, the question of security arrangements vis-à-vis intended disruptions by various groups of our society.
Speaker Mbete assured them that the State of the Nation Address will be conducted as usual and all preparations are in place to maintain a successful address by the President to the Nation. Speaker Mbete emphasised that she looks forward to welcoming the Diplomatic Corps on the 11th of February.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps received the briefing with enthusiasm and requested to have the same engagement with Parliament annually.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE RSA
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