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The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs wishes to express its gratitude to the retiring members of the Independent Electoral Commission.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has come a long way from the negotiations of the Conference for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) and the multi-party Negotiation Forum which culminated in the Constitution and the subsequent establishment of the IEC as a Chapter 9 body.

The Chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Brigalia Bam and Commissioner Fanie Van Der Merwe have been there from the outset in 1994, when the electoral team only had seven months to prepare for and conduct the most crucial elections in South Africa’s history, to ring in its first democratic government under President Nelson Mandela. These elections became a beacon of hope, signifying the miraculous transition for which South Africa has come to be known. As part of the transition to democracy, a strong institution was developed by the Electoral Commission to safeguard the country’s hard-won democracy.

As the reputation of the IEC grew by virtue of its successful, free, fair and expedient managing of subsequent national and local government elections, so too did its involvement in assisting and observing elections for other entities in South Africa and other governments in Africa.

The Commissioners have also been successful in their regular hosting of various international delegations, conferences and debates on democracy and electoral systems; and many joint activities with partners including the African Union eg the 2007 International Conference on Sustaining Africa’s Democratic Momentum.

The Chairperson and Commissioners also regularly engaged with role-players in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) such as the Electoral Commissions’ Forum, and the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa.
The engagements of Chairperson Dr Brigalia Bam, Deputy Chairperson Thoko Mpumlwana and Commissioners Fanie Van Der Merwe and Terry Tselane with Parliament and particularly the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, have always exhibited a high degree of professionalism but also a friendly approachability.

The ad-hoc Committee on the Nominating of Replacement Commissioners has recommended a second seven-year term for Commissioner Terry Tselane given his valued contribution to the Commission. The conduct of the Chairperson and Commissioners in overseeing the consistent good performance in presenting on and improving their strategic plans, their budget and annual reports, have entrenched the country’s faith in the IEC and have exceeded South Africa’s expectations.

The Committee wishes the outgoing Chairperson and Commissioners well in their future engagements and is sure their prestigious work for the IEC and various other NGOs, Chapter 9 institutions, government departments and church organisations will continue to contribute to the positive image of South Africa.