30 April 2009

NINE new provincial premiers were officially sworn in on Wednesday 6 May, with all vowing to speed up delivery of services to citizens

Former MEC for Housing Nomvula Mokonyane was officially sworn in as premier of the country's economic powerhouse, Gauteng.

Mokonyane was elected during the first sitting of the provincial legislature on Wednesday 6 May. She takes over from Paul Mashatile.

Outlining her government's programme for the next five years, Mokonyane said she would be beefing up the health system while particular priority would be placed on education and creation of job opportunities.

In 1996 Ms Mokonyane was appointed MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, in 1999 she was appointed MEC for Safety and Liaison and in 2004 she was appointed as the MEC for Housing.

Dressed in a brown suit, Mokonyane took the oath with the Deputy Judge President of the High Court Jeremiah Shongwe led the proceedings.

Meanwhile, Lindiwe Maseko and Steward Ngwenya, both from the ANC, have been elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.

Former Eastern Cape Legislature Speaker, Noxolo Kiviet, has been officially sworn-in as the province’s new premier.

Kiviet, who takes over from Mbulelo Sogoni, has been the provincial legislature speaker from 2004.

The new premier has promised to tackle the high rate of poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment in the province.

Kiviet addressed the legislature in Bhisho shortly after being sworn in as premier

Kiviet promised to develop a new level cooperation between government, its entities, industries, labour and civil society to curb the current shortcomings.

Limpopo's new premier Cassel Mathale has committed to doing everything in his power to improve the lives of people in the province.

Delivering his acceptance speech after being elected premier of Limpopo, Mr Mathale said the new government will work hard to ensure that in the next five years, people's lives get improved even further.

Mathale was first sworn in as Limpopo Premier in March 2008 following the resignation of Sello Moloto.

The premier also extended a hand of friendship to members of the opposition, Cope and the Democratic Alliance (DA) to join the ANC led legislature on its forward march to build a better province.

He also urged Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) and Members of the Executive Council (MEC's) to put their shoulders to the wheel to make a difference in the lives of the people.

Mpumalanga's new premier, David Mabuza, has promised a new level of service delivery in the province.

Mabuza was elected premier on Wednesday in a ceremony presided over by Deputy Judge President Phineas Mojapelo. The new legislature also elected Jackson Mthembu as Speaker and Violet Siwelaas his Deputy.

Mojapelo described it as a translation of the will of the people. "We are witnessing the swearing in of men and women who will keep the torch burning for the people of this province."

He urged the members of the provincial legislature to serve with integrity.

Siwela said she was confident of the new government and the fact that it would be able to perform.

Newly sworn-in Western Cape premier Helen Zille said she was committed to achieving an open, accountable and transparent government in the province.

The former Cape Town mayor said she was committed to executing her duties as premier, adding that this was a great responsibility. Zille takes over from outgoing premier Lynne Brown.

She said as premier she would listen to public servants describing them as the country's "real heroes."

"We value and respect the dedicated and competent professionals who already serve as staff members in the province," she said, adding that her administration will welcome those who are committed to efficient delivery.

Former MEC for Finance, Maureen Modiselle, has been officially elected as the premier of the North West province.

Modiselle was elected unopposed at the first sitting of the North West Provincial Legislature.

Speaking after being elected as the premier, Modiselle said her first priority was to make sure that the people of the province were strongly united.

"Our people voted for this government because they need their lives to be changed for the better and with us committed and working together we will make it happen," she said.

Modiselle, has served as Finance MEC since 2005, and is taking over from Edna Molewa, who has served the province as premier since April 2004.

Nono Maloi was elected as the Speaker of the North West Legislature with Veronica Kekesi as the Deputy Speaker.

The Northern Cape Provisional Legislature has elected Hazel Jenkins as the new premier of the province.

The outgoing Deputy Chairperson of the South African Local Government Association, Jenkins will take over the reigns from Dipuo Peters.

A teacher by profession, Ms Jenkins was also the Executive Mayor of the BoKaroo District Municipality. She was also a councilor in the De Aar, Bo-Karoo, Emthenjeni and Karoo District Municipalities in the Northern Cape.

Ace Magashule was sworn in as premier of the Free State province during the inauguration of members of the provincial legislature.

Thousands had packed the Mangaung Indoor Sport's Centre to witness the event, singing and cheering jubilantly.

Magashule will take over the reigns from Beatrice Marshoff, who has been heading the province since April 2004.

He has previously held the posts of MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture and MEC for the Department of Public Safety and Security.

Magashule served as the provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) since the mid-1990s. He was also involved in underground work during the apartheid years and had a hand in founding the United Democratic Front in the early 1980s.

Former provincial MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Dr Zweli Mkhize was elected as the new premier taking over the reigns from Sibusiso Ndebele who served as premier since 2004.

Prior to his appointment as the MEC for Finance and Economic Development in November 2004, Dr Mkhize had served as the MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal since 1994. He held this position for 10 years making him the longest serving Provincial Health MEC in the country.

Source: BuaNews