The 25th South African Parliament was the fourth Parliament of South Africa to convene since the introduction of non-racial government in South Africa in 1994. It was elected in the general election of 22 April 2009, and first met on 6 May of that year to elect Jacob Zuma as the fourth President of South Africa. It was formally opened by the newly elected President's State of the Nation address in a joint sitting on 3 June 2009.[1] The ANC retained its majority, although it was reduced to 264 seats out of 400 (66%) in the National Assembly, while the Democratic Alliance increased its lead of the opposition, taking 67 seats (16.75%). The Speaker of the National Assembly was Max Sisulu of the ANC and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces was M. J. Mahlangu, also of the ANC.