After facing a mammoth task in steering the State of the Nation Address last week, National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete expressed concern over the country's current political situation.
"The polarisation that we are witnessing in politics at the moment, is highly distressing and in this regard, it is our elders who are in the best position to encourage mutual respect and tolerance, listening to each other and tolerating different and diverse views," Mbete said on Sunday.
She was speaking at an event about human dignity held at in Gugulethu in the Western Cape.
During the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday, Mbete was mocked by some MPs. Others questioned her understanding of her role as Speaker.
Cope MPs were the first to walk out of proceedings after accusing President Jacob Zuma of breaking his oath to office. EFF MPs were the next to leave the house after they disrupted Zuma's speech several times.
Speaking ahead of the local government elections, Mbete said it was important for the older generation to turn out to the polls in their numbers, to educate the youngsters about choosing right leaders and sharing with them the lessons they had learned from the past.
Source: News24
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