By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Amanda Bani-Mapena, has resigned after seven months in the job.
In a statement released on Wednesday night, Bani-Mapena said she was grateful to have served in the provincial cabinet.
“I wish to take this opportunity to inform the media and members of the public that today I am relinquishing my role as a deployed member of the executive council who was entrusted with the sport, arts and culture portfolio.
“I wish to thank the ANC for affording me the opportunity and experience to use my skills to serve at that level of government.
“I also would like to thank the Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, under whose tutelage I have served.
“My plaudits also go to all my colleagues in the executive council for their guidance and counsel.
“I have worked well with the senior management of the department led by the able acting head of department, Dr Fikile Ndlovu, and together we have achieved a lot in a short space of time following my arrival in the department 245 days ago,” she said in her statement.
Bani-Mapena, a former senior eThekwini Municipality official, who left the municipality under a cloud following tender fraud allegations, came to the office in August last year, replacing Hlengiwe Mavimbela.
“The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal, as governing party, wishes to inform the general membership and people of this province that it has received a letter of resignation from the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Comrade Amanda Bani-Mapena.
“After consultations with her, officials and other key stakeholders, the ANC has politely accepted her resignation as the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture.
“However, the ANC has respectfully declined her resignation as the member of the provincial legislature.
“We value her contribution since her deployment into this portfolio, especially in terms of championing programmes focusing on the promotion of our diversity and different cultures,” the ANC said in a statement.