Durban – Recently-elected ANC KwaZulu-Natal provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma has been named the new MEC for Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) in a new cabinet announced by Premier Nomusa Dube Ncube yesterday.
A cabinet reshuffle in the province has long been mooted since Duma and his Taliban slate emerged victorious over Sihle Zikalala and his Ankole slate at the ANC KZN Ninth provincial elective conference in Durban last month.
Duma replaces Ravi Pillay who tendered his resignation to the ANC on Wednesday morning, paving the way for Duma to assume the responsibility of being the new leader of government business in KwaZulu-Natal.
Of Duma, Dube Ncube said that he would be ensuring that they work as a collective to lead the country and province towards the rebuilding of the economy from the devastating Covid-19, July unrest and recent floods.
Former ANC provincial chairperson and premier Sihle Zikalala was named the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
“We know that under his stewardship we are going to be able to support our municipalities, as well as the mayors and all other spheres of government that we need to work with,” Dube Ncube said.
Nomagugu Simelane, who was elected ANC KZN deputy chairperson, retained her position as the Health MEC while Nonhlanhla Khoza also retained her position as MEC for Social Development.
Another MEC who retained her portfolio is MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Bongi Sithole Moloi.
Former Newcastle Local Municipality mayor Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, recently elected ANC KZN provincial treasurer, was named MEC for Human Settlements. Dube-Ncube said that Mahlaba’s immediate focus would be expediting the roll out of temporary residential units.
The new MEC for Finance is Peggy Neliswa Nkonyeni, with Dube Ncube saying that she would be tasked with ensuring the allocation of resources to government departments as part of strengthening service delivery.
Sipho Hlomuka, recently re-elected as ANC KZN provincial deputy secretary, will now serve as the new MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison.
“The MEC will interact with law enforcement agencies and senior management in the two departments in order to ensure that law and order is maintained across the province,” Dube Ncube said.
With Kwazi Mshengu having announced that the ANC in the province had withdrawn him as MEC for Education his successor in the portfolio will be Mbali Frazer.
“She will be visiting schools to assess their performance and to meet with learners and teachers. She will meet with organised labour, school principals, school governing bodies and communities,” Dube Ncube said.
The new MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture is Amanda Bani Mapena who replaced Hlengiwe Mavimbela in the portfolio.
Dube Ncube said that Mapena was tasked with championing all programmes that will promote the province’s diversity and different cultures.
Dube Ncube said that the ANC leadership, both provincially and nationally, had been briefed of the latest developments and had emphasised the importance of working collectively and striving to make sure that the lives of the people of the province are changed.
“We assume our responsibility fully aware that this country, and our province in particular, is facing serious economic challenges and judging by the commentary in the public and in the media, our people are suffering out there.
“We need to deal with the issues of poverty, inequality in the economy and to also ensure that the job creation and working with all the social partners become our priority in rebuilding the economy and creating decent jobs for our people in KwaZulu-Natal,” Dube Ncube said.
She said that they would be strongly focused on unlocking opportunities available through the integrated government investment infrastructure developing and targeting and implementing the radical economic transformation programmes across all the corners of the province.
She said the work of the new MECs would begin in earnest, although they should be given space to be able to get into their offices and understand the magnitude of the work they were all faced with.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE