By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Hendrik Panyaza Lesufi has been re-elected unopposed as premier of Gauteng during the Provincial Legislature first sitting on Friday, 14 June.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Mike Moriarty seconded his nomination.
Former arts and culture MEC in Gauteng, Marakane Mosupyoe, was elected speaker unopposed. The MK Party seconded her nomination. DA MPL Refiloe Ntsekhe was elected as deputy speaker.
Gauteng judge president Dunstan Mlambo presided over the official swear-in ceremony of all members of the provincial legislature (MPLs), in the chambers in Johannesburg.
In his speech, Lesufi said: “My sincere appreciation to all the political parties in this House, let’s make a Government of Provincial Unity (GNU) real. My sincerest appreciation to the officials and staff of the Gauteng Provincial Government and former leaders and members of this legislature.
“I am nothing without the ANC and our alliance partners. The movement of the people, by the people. Thank you so much for assigning me to be an instrument of change, an instrument of liberation.
“To the ANC PEC, you have once more demonstrated that our unity agenda is solid and unshakeable. For you to unanimously present my name, represents an honour I will never take for granted.”
The Gauteng Legislature consists of 80 seats, with 11 political parties represented.
Seat allocation is as follows: the ANC has 28 seats, DA has 22, EFF with 11, MK has eight, ActionSA has three, FF+ and PA have two each. ACDP, Bosa, IFP and Rise Mzansi have one seat each.
This comes after the proceedings were delayed by an hour due to the ANC caucus being unable to be at the legislature on time.
Gauteng makes up a third of South Africa’s gross domestic product. Coalition governments in key municipalities in the province, such as Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni — which includes the country’s biggest airport — have been unstable, with infighting between parties that’s hampered service delivery.