Honourable Daylin Mitchell elected as speaker

12 December 2022 

During a Sitting of the House earlier today, Hon Daylin Mitchell was elected as Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP). The election was presided over by the Judge President of the Western Cape Division of the High Court, John Hlophe.

Representing the Democratic Alliance, Hon Mitchell became a Member of the Fifth Western Cape Provincial Parliament in September 2015. He was re-elected to the Sixth Parliament of the Western Cape in 2019 during which he served as Deputy Chief Whip of the Majority Party, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Transport and Public Works and Chairperson of the Conduct Committee. In 2021 he was appointed as Western Cape Minister of Mobility.

Hon Mitchell is the youngest Speaker in the history of the WCPP. Taking the chair for the first time after his election this morning, he committed himself to uphold the constitutional responsibilities of the WCPP:

“That I shall discharge my duties as Speaker and chief presiding officer of the WCPP in an impartial and fair manner upholding the dignity and decorum of the House; that I shall fulfil all the obligations placed upon me by the Constitution, the law and the rules, regulations and policies of the provincial parliament with honesty and diligence; that I shall protect the honour and dignity of the provincial parliament and represent the interests of the WCPP as the Speaker both locally and abroad; that I shall ensure that the processes and procedures of the WCPP are fair to all parties represented in the WCPP; that I shall maintain a stable workforce serving and supporting all Members of the WCPP in their work; and that I shall ensure that the constitutional responsibilities of the WCPP of law making, oversight of the executive and public participation in its processes and work are maintained and where necessary, enhanced”.

Speaker Mitchell concluded that he was looking forward to this new journey to make the Western Cape Provincial Parliament the best regional parliament in Africa.

Issued by Matthys Odendal, Senior Officer: Communication, Western Cape Government, 12 December 2022