MBOMBELA – Winds of change have been ushered into the provincial legislature when former ANC chief whip, Ms Thandi Shongwe was elected as speaker, making her the second female provincial speaker since the birth of democracy in 1994.
Shongwe’s name was drawn by the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) after a gruelling meeting on Monday which lasted until the wee hours of Tuesday morning, in which the provincial chairperson, Mr David Mabuza, was also reappointed to serve a second term as the provincial premier.
Shongwe became the first female chief whip of the ANC in 2009.
Mabuza retained his position after three names were forwarded to the NEC and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ANC which included Ms Violet Siwela and Mr Vusi Shongwe.
According to the ANC’s deputy secretary general, Ms Jesse Duarte, provinces such as Mpumalanga, who had male chairpersons and premiers, have been forced to have female speakers in their legislatures. She also pointed out that the ANC also expects provincial cabinets to show a 60 per cent female representation.
Mabuza’s reappointment comes after a faction of the provincial ANC, including some alliance partners in the SACP, wanted him replaced as premier. However, after his hard work in leading the election campaigns and because of his vision for the province, Mabuza won the hearts of the hierarchy in both the NEC and NWC to elect him to lead the province for another five-year term.
“Mabuza has for the past five years successfully led both the ANC and the provincial government with proficiency and was handed the baton to lead once again,” said Duarte.
Everyone is now eager to see who else will retain their positions as members of the executive committee (MECs) since the likes of former MEC for health and social services, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, former MEC for public works and transport, Ms Dikeledi Mahlangu, former MEC for finance, Mr Madala Masuku, former MEC for culture, sport and recreation, Ms Sibongile Manana and former MEC for economic development, environment and tourism, Ms Pinky Phosa are destined for the national assembly.
The question on many a pundit’s lips is, whether the new composition of the executive committee will meet the gender, balance and incorporation of the youth into governance structures as required by ANC policy.
Former MEC for human settlements, Mr Andries Gamede, Cogta’s Mr Simon Skhosana and community safety, liaison and security’s Mr Vusi Shongwe, are destined to still serve in the new executive.
Yesterday all 30 members of the legislature were sworn in, which included three from the DA, two from the EFF and one from BRA.
The deputy speaker of the legislature is Mr David Dube.
In his acceptance briefing, Mabuza said, “The trust your have bestowed upon me to lead the province, is not misplaced and I wish to thank all the voters who elected us into power. We shall not disappoint any of you.”
Shongwe said, “I will create a sense of unity and social cohesion within our province as we all come from different backgrounds. I also dedicate this day to all the women of the world, including the kidnapped girls from northern Nigeria. I pray hard that they may be returned to their families.
“This is a calling to duty to ensure we implement our service delivery initiatives and live up to our objectives,” he said.
