South Africa
Speaker of the National Assembly
How the office holder is chosen
Under section 52 of the Constitution, the National Assembly must elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from among its members at the first sitting after an election, or when necessary to fill a vacancy.2
Term
The Speaker serves until the next election or removal. Under section 52, the Assembly may remove the Speaker by resolution, with a majority of members present. Under section 53, the presiding member has no ordinary vote but must cast a deciding vote when votes are equal.2
Recent holders
| Name | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Thandi Modise3 | 22 May 2019 | 18 August 2021 |
| Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula3 | 19 August 2021 | 20 March 2024 |
| Solomon Lechesa Tsenoli3 | 21 March 2024 | 13 June 2024 |
| Thoko Didiza1,3 | 14 June 2024 | Present |
Notable facts
- The presiding member may also cast a deliberative vote when a question requires a two thirds supporting vote.2
Sources
- Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, Parliament of the Republic of South Africa home page
- Constitute Project, Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (rev. 2012) (Constitute Project)
- Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU Parline historical data for Speaker: South Africa, National Assembly (28 October 2026)