New post for N Cape speaker

An ANC supporter holds a flag of the ANC while the President Jacob Zuma addresses ANC Gauteng Cadre Assembly in Pretoria. Picture: Phill Magakoe

An ANC supporter holds a flag of the ANC while the President Jacob Zuma addresses ANC Gauteng Cadre Assembly in Pretoria. Picture: Phill Magakoe

Published May 29, 2013

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Bloemfontein - Northern Cape legislature speaker Boeboe van Wyk has resigned and will become a mayor, the ANC said on Wednesday.

African National Congress Northern Cape secretary Zamani Saul said the party had decided to appoint Van Wyk mayor of the Namakhoi local municipality after a recent by-election victory.

Van Wyk resigned as speaker and as member of the provincial legislature.

“Comrade Boeboe is a community activist and the community of Namakhoi knows him very well and holds him in high regard,” said Saul.

The ANC recently won a by-election in Concordia, within the Namakhoi municipal area, giving them the majority in the council.

A Democratic Alliance (DA) and Congress of the People (Cope) coalition ruled the municipality with one seat until the by-election.

Saul said Van Wyk possessed a wealth of governance experience, which would help the party's efforts to strengthen the municipality.

“We made a promise to the people of Namakhoi municipality that we shall rid the municipality of the mess caused by the DA/Cope coalition.”

Saul said Van Wyk was one of the ANC's best cadres and a seasoned activist.

Cope welcomed Van Wyk's resignation as speaker.

“It has not come a day too soon, and we look forward to the appointment of a competent professional to the chair of speaker,” said Cope's Pakes Dikgetsi.

“We are of the view that his resignation has a lot to do with the ongoing victories of the opposition over the ruling party when it comes to legislature business.”

Dikgetsi said Van Wyk had allowed his political preferences to interfere with the legislature's running.

The ANC said Northern Cape ANC spokeswoman Gail Parker would fill Van Wyk's legislature vacancy. - Sapa

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