By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Nomusa Dube-Ncube was elected as the new premier of KwaZulu-Natal, less than a week after her predecessor, Sihle Zikalala resigned after losing the contest to be the ANC’s provincial chairperson.
A wide-scale reshuffle of the provincial cabinet was expected to follow the election of the new premier.
Dube-Ncube, who has previously served as the province’s cooperative governance, economic development and finance MEC, is the first woman to be elected as premier in the province.
She defeated the Democratic Alliance candidate, Mmabatho Tembe, by a margin of 45 to 11, in a vote held as part of a special legislature sitting held in Mooi River.
Dube-Ncube was sworn in shortly thereafter and this morning she unveiled her new provincial cabinet after a meeting with the ANC’s deployment committee and its alliance partners.
Newly elected ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma has appointed MEC for economic development. He takes over from Ravi Pillay who resigned on Wednesday.
Zikalala has been appointed as the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KZN, less than a week after resigning as premier of the province
Dube-Ncube made the announcement on Thursday.
Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu has been replaced by Mbali Frazer, who contended for the post of premier – within the ANC – against the newly elected premier
In a statement, Mshengu who had been the MEC for Education since 2019 said he was grateful for the opportunity given to him by the ANC to serve the people of KwaZulu-Natal under its auspices.
“I have always understood and appreciated that I serve at the behest of my organisation and that it reserves a right to make any decision and at any given moment concerning the position I held on its behalf.
“Acting in accordance with this appreciation, I have always regarded this assignment not as career but a service,” said Mshengu.
He added he will not attempt to speak of the success and challenges faced during the time he served as the MEC and that posterity and the people of KwaZulu-Natal will give judgement.
Amanda Bani-Mapena, another newcomer to the legislature will replace Hlengiwe Mavimbela, heading up the sports, arts and culture portfolio.
Human Settlements MEC Jomo Sibiya has been replaced by former Newcastle mayor Ntuthuko Mahlaba while Peggy Nkonyeni has been moved from transport and community safety to the Treasury. She will be replaced by former Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka.
Those not affected by the reshuffle include MEC for health Nomagugu Simelane and MEC for agriculture and rural development Bongi Sithole-Moloi.