The new incumbent will replace former speaker Thandi Modise who held the position since 2019 following the sixth democratic elections.

Modise was earlier this month appointed to Cabinet as the new Defence Minister during President Cyril Ramaphosa's first Cabinet reshuffle.

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Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has designated Judge President John Hlophe of the Western Cape Division of the High Court of South Africa to preside over this special sitting.

"The Acting Chief Justice has also approved Rules for the election process.

"At the start of the proceedings, Judge President Hlophe will open the sitting and then call for nominations for the position of Speaker from amongst the Members of the NA. 

"If there is more than one nomination, Judge Hlophe will call for the voting process to be conducted by a way of a secret ballot. 

"Although the sitting is divided into 4 areas, the floor of the NA Chamber will serve as the voting station. Four voting booths have been arranged to enable 4 Members at a time to cast their votes," says Mothapo.

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The voting process is expected to last for about 4 hours, with at least 1 hour dedicated to counting the votes.

"As soon as the voting is completed, Judge Hlophe will suspend proceedings to allow for counting of the votes."

The African National Congress (ANC) has nominated former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to succeed Modise as the National Assembly speaker.

This has already been met with resistance from opposition political parties, as well as a threat of legal action.