By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@EPA.
The newly elected Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a new executive that would support him as he takes over as the province’s leader.
The changes came a day after Lesufi was sworn in at the provincial legislature.
Lesufi says his new cabinet will continue with and build on the Growing Gauteng Together 2030 blueprint laid out by the administration before his.
The blueprint is a strategic plan for how the provincial government will lead towards a just and sustainable economy and society.
Nomantu Nkomo- Ralehoko takes over as MEC for health and wellness.
Meanwhile, Jacob Mamabolo was promoted to the provincial Treasury from public transport and roads infrastructure MEC.
Another notable change was splitting the department of Human Settlements, Urban Planning and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs into two entities – Human settlement and Cogta.
Muzi Khumalo has been appointed as the new Cogta MEC, with Lesufi saying he will be focusing mostly on coalitions.
“Human settlements need to be prioritied separately as we try and revive the township, informal settlement and our hostels,” said Lesufi.
Lebogang Maile remains human settlements MEC.
The new MECs are:
- Department of Health and Wellness – MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko
- Department of Economic Development – MEC Tasneem Motara
- Department of Safety and Security – MEC Faith Mazibuko
- Department of Transport and Logistics – MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela
- Department of Education – Matome Chiloane
- Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Aaffairs, eGovernment and Research and Development – MEC Mzikayifane Khumalo
- Department of Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development – MEC Lebogang Maile
- Department of Finance – MEC Jacob Mamabolo
- Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation – MEC Morakane Mosupyoe
- Department of Social Development – MEC Mbali Hlophe
This leadership represents retention and continuity as we are only bringing literally two [new] MECs. We have kept almost seven MECs within the team, so we have not made major changes. I wish the team well. Let’s serve the people of Gauteng and let’s do it now,” he said.
Lesufi said the new executive will also be continuing on the work done by the previous administration led by former Premier David Makhura and will have key priorities.
He said they have identified “non-negotiable” areas that must be addressed from now to the end of the political term in the next 18 months.
“The first one is the immediate need to ensure economic recovery and reconstruction. We want to accelerate the recovery part of it and the repositioning of the Gauteng economy. Two, we want to strengthen the immediate fight against crime, corruption, vandalism and lawlessness.
“Three, we want to move immediately to change the living conditions in the townships, informal settlements and hostels,” he said.
Lesufi said the ruling ANC party put stringent conditions on the type of leaders who would be chosen to become MECs.