By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has announced its premier candidates in seven provinces following the conclusion of the 2024 national and provincial elections.
During the May 29 polls, the ANC obtained an outright majority in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, North West, the Free State, and Mpumalanga.
The ANC on Thursday announced its premier candidates after interviews early this week.
Hendrik Panyaza Lesufi is set for a return as Gauteng premier if the ANC retains power after the ongoing coalition talks.
Phophi Ramathuba has also been announced as the ANC premier candidate in Limpopo where the party garnered 74% in the May 29 polls, with Zamani Saul set to be retained in the Northern Cape with the help of minority parties after failing to win an outright majority.
The ANC has also announced Oscar Mabuyane will return to power in the Eastern Cape.
The party has opted to install a woman premier, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, in the Free State instead of incumbent Mxolisi Dukwana who was expected to be retained.
Letsoha-Mathae is seemingly becoming a popular politician in ANC circles having been elected as women’s league treasurer-general last year where she won with a big margin.
She replaces Dukwana who was last year elected as the Free State provincial chair.
ANC chair in Mpumalanga Mandla Ndlovu has got his wish of leading the province as premier after the party decided to snub its national executive committee member Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane.
The ANC in Mpumalanga got 51% in the elections and will be able to easily install Ndlovu. The party will install Lazarus Mokgosi in North West.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, said all the interviews were overseen by party’s Electoral Committee chairperson Kgalema Motlanthe or by a committee member nominated by Motlanthe.
“The national officials posed a range of questions to the candidates covering ethical and capable leadership as set out in Through the Eye of a Needle and the six priorities in the ANC 2024 Election Manifesto that are critical to speeding up transformation and improving the lives of the people: our jobs plan; building our industries to include an inclusive economy; tackling the high cost of living; investing in people; defending democracy and advancing freedom; and building a better Africa and world,” Mbalula explained.
He said the candidates were also asked about building a developmental state, building capable local government, protection of the human rights and dignity of women, children, young people, older persons, and LGBTQIA+ persons and promoting social cohesion.
Meanwhile the National Freedom Party (NFP) has announced that it will go into coalition with the ANC, DA, and IFP in KwaZulu-Natal.
NFP leader Ivan Barnes briefed media after an intense meeting between the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and National Executive Committee (NEC).
Barnes said the party is engaging in national level with other parties to have sake of stability in South Africa.
“The spirit of partnership and the maturity (that) have characterized negotiations are a source of inspiration and hope for the millions of South Africans. In addition, we wish to indicate that we are engaging at a national level to ensure that we finalize key aspects of our participation in order to serve the people of this country,” said Barnes.
The ANC’s National Executive Committee is meeting on Thursday evening for a special meeting at the Cape Sun Hotel.