KZN speaker Nontembeko Boyce elected deputy chair of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians

According to IOL, KwaZulu‑Natal Legislature Speaker Nontembeko Boyce was elected deputy chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) during the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Africa Region Annual General Meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Election at CPA Africa meeting in Malawi

According to IOL, Boyce was elected to the CWP deputy chair position on August 14 at the CPA Africa Region Annual General Meeting (ARAGM) held in Lilongwe.

What the CWP does

According to IOL, the CWP is a network of women parliamentarians across Commonwealth legislatures that works to strengthen members’ capacity, bring gender perspectives into legislation, oversight and representation, and help parliaments become more gender‑sensitive.

Boyce on the significance of the role

Boyce said the appointment gives South Africa a role in shaping the continental agenda for women’s political participation, gender equality and inclusive governance. According to IOL, she said:

“Having a member of the CWP Africa Region Executive is not simply an achievement for an individual parliamentarian. It is an opportunity for the country to have a voice in shaping the continental agenda on women’s political participation, gender equality and inclusive governance.”

Local responses and past South African representation

According to IOL, the KwaZulu‑Natal legislature welcomed Boyce’s election, saying:

“The appointment of Hon Boyce is a true reflection of her leadership and commitment to advancing the participation and representation of women in parliamentary processes across the Commonwealth.”

According to IOL, the African National Congress in KwaZulu‑Natal described the appointment as a “prestigious appointment,” calling it “our collective pride.”

Role for South Africa and network description

According to IOL, Boyce’s spokesperson Nomusa Phungula said the CWP Africa Region unites female legislators from national and subnational parliaments across Africa to promote gender equality, empower women, and enhance inclusive governance, and that having a member on the CWP Africa Region Executive “gives the country a stronger voice in an international parliamentary network.”

Recent advocacy

According to IOL, earlier this month during the annual provincial Women’s Parliament in Ixopo, Boyce urged political parties to give women key positions in local government.