The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Phillipus Katamelo, says Members of Parliament have a special responsibility to ensure the smooth functioning of the chamber.

These responsibilities are shared among Chief Whips and their deputies, party leaders, and members of the various Standing Committees.

Katamelo was speaking on nbc's parliamentary programme Inside the Chambers, where he discussed the vital roles that help Parliament operate effectively. He also reflected on his experience leading a session in the House for the first time.

He highlighted the role of Chief Whips, whose duties include maintaining order, ensuring party members adhere to parliamentary rules, and coordinating party activities in Parliament.

There are three categories of Chief Whips: the ruling party’s Chief Whip, who comes from the party with the most seats; the Chief Whip of the Official Opposition, from the second-largest party; and the Chief Whips of other political parties, each representing their own constituencies. All Chief Whips work closely with the Speaker’s Office to ensure Parliament functions efficiently.

Katamelo also outlined the three key leadership roles within the Chamber: the Speaker, the Leader of Government Business, and the Leader of the Official Opposition.

Speaking about his new role as Deputy Speaker, Katamelo said his experience played a major role in preparing him for the position. He has spent nearly 15 years in Parliament, 10 years in the National Council, and five in the National Assembly. He also served as a backbencher and private member, which gave him the confidence and readiness to lead his first sitting in the National Assembly last week.

He further spoke about standing committees which are smaller groups of MPs that focus on specific issues. These committees, structured to reflect government priorities, help manage parliamentary tasks in a more focused, effective, and efficient manner.