By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Northern Cape premier Dr.Zamani Saul has announced his cabinet in the Provincial Legislature in Kimberley, having merged Cogta, Human Settlements, Transport and Safety into one department.
Saul also combined Social Development and Sport, Arts and Culture.
He was re-elected premier, beating DA provincial leader Izak Fritz 19 votes to 11 in the first sitting of the of the provincial legislature on 14 June.
Although the ANC failed to win an outright majority in the general election, with 49.34% of the vote and taking 15 of the 30 provincial legislature seats, the Freedom Front (FF) Plus and the Patriotic Alliance (PA), which have a combined four seats in the legislature, supported Saul to be Premier.
Although the FF Plus said that it will not be part of the provincial government, its sole MPL was given a top position in the provincial legislature as well as have some concessions from the ANC for various demands the party had put forward.
In his inaugural address, Saul said the seventh administration remains committed to modernising the province, boosting the economy and ensuring its success.
“This will be done with much greater speed and underpinned by the six priority areas of the 2024 ANC election manifesto,” Saul said on Monday.
These priority areas, he said, include creating jobs, building industries for an inclusive economy, tackling the high cost of living, investing in people, defending democracy and advancing freedom, and building a better Africa.
The Premier was delivering his inauguration speech in the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature in Kimberley.
He outlined his vision and plans for this seventh administration in his speech. Saul’s cabinet is as follows:
1.Department of Health – Maruping Lekwene
2.Department of Education – Abraham Vosloo
3.Department of Corporate Governance,Human Settlements, Traditional Affairs, Transport, Safety and Liason – Bentley Vass
4.Department of Agriculture, Enviromental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform – Mase Manopole
5.Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism – Venus Blennies
6.Department of Social Development, Arts and Culture – Nontobeko Vilakazi
7.Department of Roads and Public Works – Fufe Makatong
The next five years, he said, will require intensive engagement with political parties, civil society, the private sector, academia, and all spheres of government.
“The seventh administration will work tirelessly to bring all stakeholders together towards the realisation of the Northern Cape Provincial Growth and Development Plan Vision 2040 for the realisation of a modern, growing, and successful province. This plan outlines a bold and ambitious path to transform our province into one that provides opportunities for all.”