Following the ANC’s National Executive Committee’s directive to reconfigure the cabinet to allow for a 60/40 gender representation, the Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu, restructured his cabinet on September 4.
Ndlovu announced Leah Mabuza as the new addition to his cabinet, taking over the reins from Fidel Mlombo as MEC for culture, sport and recreation.
The appointment follows Mlombo’s resignation, which allowed the governing party to implement its guidelines on gender balance. Mlombo had been serving in this portfolio since June after the national general elections of May 29. According to the premier, Mlombo resigned voluntarily and is now deployed to the Provincial Legislature as a member.
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According to the ANC’s guidelines, when the premier of a province is a man, women must account for or have 60% representation in the executive committee, meaning that this province must have a minimum of six women and a maximum of four men MECs.
We expect her to serve the people of the province with high morals. We wish the MEC all the best in her new responsibility. We know that she has never failed in the past and she is not going to fail in this role
“As the premier of the province, I had to apply my mind and I have decided to invite one of the senior members of the governing party, Mabuza, to be a member of the executive council. The new MEC has not only been appointed because she is a woman, but a person who grew up in the organisation, taking on various roles and responsibilities. We expect her to serve the people of the province with high morals. We wish the MEC all the best in her new responsibility. We know that she has never failed in the past and she is not going to fail in this role,” said Ndlovu.
Mabuza, a national executive committee member of the South African National Civics Organisation and regional executive committee member of the ANC in Nkangala, comes to this position with extensive experience, having previously served as the mayor of both a district and local municipality.
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When asked what she would be bringing to the department, Mabuza said she understands the processes and programmes of government, as she has been serving it for years. “Already there is a manifesto of the ANC in the province, and the premier has already outlined what was needed to be done by the department to speed up the challenges he had already tabled in terms of the people of Mpumalanga; in particular, the unemployment rate and the full participation of young people to resuscitate sports and art.”
Mabuza said Mpumalanga has potential and sports are what unite the people of South Africa.
