Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 991480,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/991480/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 326,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nominated, ANC",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Godfrey Osotsi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13172,
        "legal_name": "Godfrey Osotsi",
        "slug": "godfrey-osotsi"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker for this opportunity to also support this Motion. This amendment to the Standing Order to introduce virtual sittings is long overdue. As you know, the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) which we are Members of has been engaging on how to encourage Parliaments across the world to adopt e-parliament. So, this will help us fasten this process towards the achievement of e-parliament in future. Most importantly, these guidelines will not interfere with the norms and traditions of Parliament. They are also in line with our Constitution in terms of voting, quorum and many aspects of Parliament. Many parliaments have adopted virtual sitting especially at this point in time of COVID- 19. I think we are not far off from many other parliaments across the world such as the British Government which even before the COVID-19, were thinking about digital service as part of their parliamentary processes. In future as this process matures, we need to think about how we will run a virtual parliament without having to sit in one location and at the same time observing the rules and guidelines. I am also happy that the Standing Orders also refer to the guidelines which will be formulated to look at issues of access by the public such as public participation and to look at the issues of conduct of proceedings such as voting, division and even ascertaining the votes. This is very important that whatever technology we adopt should not veer off the rules and laws that guide the functioning of Parliament. Hon. Speaker, choice of technology will be key because of hackers. The other day we heard complaints that the Zoom technology that is being used for e-learning gets hacked and is given The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}