Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature members sworn in

Donned in their stylish suits and dresses, some naturally in red safety hats and overalls, the new Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature members stole the show on Friday June 14, as they were officially sworn in as House Members or MPLs. Sworn in by the Mpumalanga High Court’s Judge President, SS Mphahlele, these members looked fit for the cause.

The seventh democratically elected Legislature will be made up of six political parties and 51 members.

The parties include the ANC in the driver’s seat with 27 seats after having won 51% of the provincial votes, followed by the MK Party, which won 16% of the votes, securing themselves nine seats in Legislature.

The EFF lies in the third spot with seven seats after scoring 13% of the votes, followed by the DA with six seats after getting 12% of the votes.

ActionSA and the FF Plus have also managed to book themselves some space in the Provincial Legislature and will get one seat each.

During his acceptance speech on Friday, Mpumalanga’s newly elected Premier, Mandla Ndlovu, promised to always work for the people and to put them first.

“I shall serve the people without personal gain. I will serve them with all my energy and skills. I will not fail in this task given to me,” he said.

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Ndlovu also challenged opposition parties represented in Legislature to work with the ruling party in order to strengthen democracy and help build this province.

“The members who have been here before know that in this House, we always encourage robust debate and engagement. Not everything said or raised by the opposition is wrong. We take whatever is right and seek to build the province and make it a better place for our children,” he added.

The second leading political party in Mpumalanga, the MK Party’s caucus leader, Mary Phadi, said their responsibility is to make sure they send a clear message that they will revisit the Freedom Charter and at least do what is enshrined there.

“We are excited as the MK Party because for the past 30 years, we did not see democracy and today we make history as we send a clear message to our masses, the people who could not get employment and have an unfair education system and an economy that is not growing. The MK will debate differently, because we are not going to sacrifice the fact that the Freedom Charter has not been practised in South Africa.”

The EFF’s provincial chairperson, Collen Sedibe, said they want to ensure that every cent spent is accounted for and that the people of Mpumalanga get quality service delivery.

“We will only congratulate you, Honourable Premier, once you have delivered the service to the people. I know you are still going to make a commitment through the State of the Province Address, so that is where we are going to follow up on you.”

The DA’s provincial chairperson, Bosman Grobler, said they have a diverse caucus and they will bring something that will make the rent spent in the province benefit its residents.

“For us, it is important that planning, budgeting and implementation take place. We then monitor those projects.”

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FF Plus leader, Werner Weber, said his party will always support the elected premier as long as he does the correct things.

“I want you to unite us in our diversity, and you will have our support.”

ActionSA’s provincial chairperson, Thokozile Mashiane, said they are going to hold the ANC accountable as the leading party in Mpumalanga.

“I don’t trust the ANC because for the past years, they didn’t do much for our people.”