Former Mpumalanga premier and ANC member Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane has been elected as the National Council of Provinces chairperson. 

She was the only nominee for the position and was nominated by African National Congress (ANC) MP from the Northern Cape Kenneth Mmoiemang.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has congratulated the newly elected NCOP chairperson. "It is much better when we work together than when we are divided. Madam Chair, congratulations, enjoy our support in every inch of Gauteng."

He said their task is to move with speed to serve their people. "Ours is simple to serve our people, inspire them and ensure that their lives are changed for the better.we are all told that it's much better when we don't leave anyone behind. Processes of the past two days have demonstrated one thing only that South Africa is now better and ours is to fast track that. We are also told that in the new future it's not the big that will defeat the small but it's the faster that will defeat the slow."

Kenneth Mmoiemang is elected as the new Chief Whip of the NCOP unopposed. "There being no further nominations, I then declare honourable Kenny Mmoiemang as the Chief Whip of the NCOP," said Mtsweni-Tsipane

The NCOP represents the provinces to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government, by ensuring participation in the national legislative process and by providing a national forum for consideration of issues affecting provinces. 

The NCOP consists of 90 provincial delegates. This means that each province is equally represented by 10 delegates in the NCOP, collectively referred to as provincial delegations. The ten delegates constitute a single delegation irrespective of the political parties each delegate represents.