Pretoria, May 21 (IANS): South Africa's Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng Wednesday presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the country's 400 new members of parliament who won in the May 7 general election, the media reported.
In batches of 10, the new MPs representing 13 political parties took an oath and affirmed their faith in the republic and obedience to the constitution, SA News reported.
The first group included president-elect Jacob Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa, Malusi Gigaba, Naledi Pandor, Jeff Radebe, Fikile Mbalula, Blade Nzimande, Bathabile Dlamini, Lindiwe Sisulu and Collins Chabane.
Around 42 percent of the new MPs are women. In terms of age, the oldest is 85 years old and the youngest 22 years. The average age of the representatives is 50.
The national assembly will now elect the new president of the country and the speaker and deputy speaker of the legislature.
African National Congress (ANC) chairperson Baleka Mbete and Democratic Alliance’s Nosimo Bhalendlela are contesting for the post of the speaker of parliament.