Speaker of the South African National Assembly - Definition and Overview

The Speaker of the National Assembly presides over the South African National Assembly. The Speaker is chosen from among the Members of the National Assembly at its first sitting. The Speaker acts as a "referee," taking charge of debates to make sure that the MPs can participate freely while keeping to the rules. The Speaker also has managerial duties to ensure that Parliament runs smoothly. Each political party in the Assembly elects a chief whip to run its affairs. The presiding officers, the chief whips, and the Leader of Government Business (the person appointed by the Cabinet to liaise with Parliament) together decide on the programme of work.

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