Newly-appointed Premier for the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, was recently sworn in during a special sitting of the KZN Provincial Legislature at Surchers Auditorium. Premier Dube-Ncube had sworn that she will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and will obey, respect and uphold the Constitution and all other laws of the country.
“I undertake to hold my office as Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal with honour and dignity.” Premier Dube-Ncube’s appointment comes days after former KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier, Sihle Zikalala, resigned from the position. Premier Dube-Ncube said in her first address at the special sitting that she, as the new premier, will assume her new responsibilities while maintaining good working relations with all.
“The majority of people, who had been subjected to the jaws of poverty for decades, celebrated the prospects of seeing their suffering disappearing. It is for these reasons that, throughout my years as an elected public representative, I will continue doing so, always in the best interests of the people of this province,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.
The DA notes the appointment of former KZN Finance MEC, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, as Provincial Premier and acknowledges the appointment of KZN’s first woman premier during Women’s Month in South Africa. “What is more important though is whether she is the right person for the job. Right now, we are all passengers on the same broken-down ANC bus – we just have a new bus driver. Whether Premier Dube-Ncube can steer our province in a new and more positive direction, remains to be seen,” said DA Leader KZN Legislature, MPL Francis Rodgers.
The election of the new premier comes at a crucial time for the KZN province and local leaders as well as the community say this is a time when the people desperately need strong political leadership.
“Regrettably, the ANC’s performance over almost three decades has shown that it cannot govern effectively nor create a capable and ethical state. The reality is that KZN will never reach its full potential under the ANC. As KZN’s only effective opposition party, the DA calls on the Premier to work closely with us and to establish a better working relationship with opposition parties than that of her predecessor. The DA remains committed to ensuring that Premier Dube-Ncube fulfils her role with honesty and integrity. Public utterances of accountability and of zero tolerance for corruption – without walking the talk – will not cut it,” concluded the DA.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council announced by Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube is as follows:
1. New MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs is Siboniso Duma. He is also the Leader of Government Business;
2. New MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs – Sihle Zikalala;
3. MEC for Health – Nomagugu Simelane;
4. MEC for Social Development – Nonhlanhla Khoza;
5. New MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works – Dr Nkululeko Ntuthuko Mahlaba;
6. New MEC for Finance – Peggy Neliswa Nkonyeni;
7. MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development – Bongi Sithole-Moloi;
8. New MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison – Sipho Hlomuka;
9. New MEC for Education – Mbali Frazer; and
10. MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture – Amanda Mapena.
