The South African Parliament has welcomed the decision by the African Union to make South Africa the permanent seat of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).
”The South African Parliament pledges its commitment to make a contribution to the PAP informed by our country’s perspectives coming out of our own experience and lessons,” said the Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete, and the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Joyce Kgoali, in a statement on Thursday.
”We shall work hard to make the institution serve its purposes as a true African Parliament.”
They said it is ”a big political challenge for our Parliament, our government and our people”.
”It comes at a time when we celebrate 10 years of our freedom. This year has been further enriched by winning the 2010 [Soccer World Cup] bid and now the bid to host the continental legislative body … We look forward to the PAP playing a meaningful role in the development of true democracy in Africa.”
The AU summit in Addis Ababa heard on Wednesday that the PAP will be coming to South Africa after Egypt, the only other country that had offered to host the body, withdrew its nomination the same day.
The PAP will be temporarily located at Gallagher Estate in Midrand until the Cabinet makes a final decision about where to situate it, said Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa.
He did not know when this decision will be made.
The Democratic Alliance warned that South Africa should not be saddled with the operating costs of the Parliament.
”Other sources of funding, including funds from other African states and international donors, should be sought,” DA chairperson Joe Seremane said in a statement.
”Overall costs should be kept to a minimum. There are many urgent spending priorities in South Africa and Africa as a whole. The parliamentary complex should be attractive, but functional. Its operations should be simple and inexpensive.”
But Seremane welcomed the decision, saying the construction of the parliamentary complex is a good investment with positive spin-offs such as local job creation and economic growth. — Sapa