The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture has officially elected Dr Nobuhle Nkabane as its acting chairperson, invoking Rule 159 of the National Assembly Rules to ensure stable leadership.

The position became vacant after President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed former committee chairperson Dina Pule to the Cabinet as the Social Development Minister.

The committee moved swiftly to elect an acting head to maintain continuity in its intensive oversight work. This interim appointment allows the committee to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities without delay while political structures finalise the election of a permanent chairperson.

Following the vote, Nkabane thanked fellow committee members for their confidence and pledged to work collaboratively across party lines to advance the legislative programme.

She indicated that one of the committee’s immediate priorities would be preparations for upcoming engagements on South Africa’s response to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. These include planned interactions with stakeholders aimed at safeguarding South Africa’s livestock sector and protecting agricultural trade.

Committee members praised the constructive, bipartisan manner in which the election process was conducted.

The delegation reaffirmed its broader, ongoing commitment to intensify oversight on public agricultural spending, support the growth and economic inclusion of developing farmers and to ensure strict compliance in the implementation of State-funded agricultural programmes.