ANC snubs new parliamentary institute

The African National Congress will not recognise the proposed Parliamentary Institute of South Africa (Pisa), chief whip Mathole Motshekga said on Thursday.

Motshekga said he had noted the intention of a group of MPs belonging to several political parties to launch a structure called Pisa on November 25.

“It has also come to our attention that the formation plans to organise the so-called pre-COP17 Symposium on November 26 in preparation for the international conference scheduled for Durban later this year,” he said.

“The initiative, which we are informed is championed by the IFP’s Mario Oriani-Ambrosini, is being supported administratively by the IFP [Inkatha Freedom Party] caucus staff and backed financially by foreign donors.”

The objectives of the institute, which was using Parliament’s logo and name without authorisation, were “not clear at this stage”, Motshekga said.

Although several ANC MPs appeared to have been drawn into the planned establishment of the institute, neither the ANC nor Parliament had been consulted.

“The ANC does not recognise this institute and will not participate in either the launch or its activities,” Motshekga said.

A joint statement inviting members of the media to Pisa’s launch was issued by senior ANC MP Patekile Holomisa, the Democratic Alliance’s Wilmot James and Oriani-Ambrosini on October 25.

They wrote on behalf of the other founders and the Pisa board of directors to invite members of the media to participate in “this important nation-building and democracy-consolidation initiative”.

“Pisa brings together serving and former Members of Parliament in a forum where they can meet, across party lines and in confidentiality, with selected captains of industry, academics, diplomats, leaders and journalists to engage in high level discussions on fundamental issues of our country, in a serene manner and with a long-term perspective.”

Pisa was to be formally launched on November 25 and would hold a symposium on the crucial issue of climate change the following day, they said.

“This symposium will provide a high level overview of the challenges and opportunities for South Africa in respect of climate change as well as a unique opportunity to discuss how to deal with them,” the three MPs said.—Sapa