MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICA – The Pan African parliament (PAP) has today presided over the orientation of new members at their headquarters in Midrand, South Africa ahead of the opening ceremony of the Sitting of Permanent Committees at the same venue tomorrow, 24 February 2025.
Around 30 parliamentarians, designated by their national legislatures to represent African citizens in the Pan-African Parliament, participated in the orientation session. These new members are scheduled to be sworn in following elections in various African Union Member States and rotations delegation rotations.
Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo, the Clerk of the Pan-African Parliament, said the PAP Secretariat presented briefings to the parliamentarians on the history, mandate, and rules of the Pan-African Parliament.
In addition, the members were sensitised on their roles and responsibilities as representatives of the people of Africa, emphasising what is expected of them in their new positions.
The new members come from Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Liberia, Mozambique, Senegal, and South Africa.
Speaking to Spiked Online Media ahead of the familiarization session with the new members on Parliamentary Procedures, Ms Khumalo said the legislators were supposed to understand the rules, procedures, and protocols governing the Pan African Parliament.
“The orientation helps new members to understand how bills are introduced, debated, and passed. They also need to understand the African Union’s overall vision, mission, and objectives in pursuit of understanding the AU’s policies and programs, including the Agenda 2063.
“It provides them with an opportunity to develop their leadership skills, including negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution. The new members had an opportunity to learn about governance principles, including transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. The orientation was also a platform to build relationships with their colleagues from other member states and establish connections with AU officials, including the Commission, the Council, and other organs,” Ms Khumalo said.
She emphasised that new members must learn about their legislative roles and responsibilities, including lawmaking, oversight, and representation.
This helps new members prepare for committee work, including understanding committee mandates, procedures, and reporting requirements. The orientation emphasizes the importance of regional integration and cooperation in achieving Africa’s development goals.
The importance of continental cooperation in addressing common challenges and opportunities was also a topical issue during the orientation exercise for the new members.
