KZN Speaker Nontembeko Boyce elected deputy chairperson of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Speaker Nontembeko Boyce has been elected as the deputy chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP). This appointment highlights South Africa's position on the continent's agenda for women's empowerment. Boyce was elected during the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Annual General Meeting (ARAGM) in Lilongwe, Malawi, on August 14. Her election comes during Women's Month in South Africa.

The CWP is a network of women parliamentarians across Commonwealth legislatures that work to strengthen their capacity, bring gender perspectives into legislation and oversight, and promote gender-sensitive governance. Boyce emphasized that her role as a CWP deputy chairperson gives South Africa a voice in shaping the continental agenda on women's political participation, gender equality, and inclusive governance.

She also noted that it allows her to bring international best practices to South Africa to enhance its legislation, oversight, and women's programs.

Boyce was previously the National Assembly Speaker of South Africa and played a significant role in the country's parliamentary processes. The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature expressed its excitement about her appointment, stating that it reflects her leadership and commitment to advancing women's participation and representation in parliamentary processes across the Commonwealth.

Boye's spokesperson, Nomusa Phungula, described the CWP Africa Region as an active network that promotes gender equality, empowers women, and enhances inclusive governance among African legislators. She added that the election of a CWP member is significant for both the individual parliamentarian and her country, as it provides a stronger voice in an international parliamentary network focused on advancing women's political participation, gender equality, inclusive governance, and stronger democratic institutions.

The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal praised Boyce's appointment, calling it a "prestigious appointment" and a victory for women's leadership. They encouraged the party to advocate for women's representation in local government positions, as women are the largest number of participants in elections and the highest number of members in political parties.