Mpumalanga's new premier, Mandla Ndlovu, has promised to bring stability to the province and improve service delivery.
Ndlovu's nomination followed the selection of Speaker Lindi Masina and Deputy Speaker Sam Masango.
The case was heard by Chief Judge Sheila Mphahlele of the Mpumalanga division of the High Court.
Masina accepted the nomination and was elected unopposed. She vowed to abide by parliamentary rules and work with all parties represented in parliament.
“We have taken up the baton and are committed to deepening our work as activists and as a people-centred parliament. We have pledged to abide by our oath and to be faithful to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Our will is to ensure accountable government through public participation. As Speaker of this parliament, I am committed to chairing in partnership with political parties.”
Ndlovu will also serve as provincial chairperson of the ANC. He will replace outgoing premier Lefiloe Mtsweni Tshipane.
He was also MEC for Public Works and Roads Transport under the outgoing administration.
Ndlovu is committed to bringing stability and ensuring improved service delivery.
“We have a huge responsibility in this province. Poverty remains high, unemployment is at 36.4 per cent and the economy is in decline. We must pay special attention to this and diversify the province's economy. After consulting with the ANC and alliance, I have appointed members of my executive and in the coming weeks I will present to you my plan and priorities for the next five years.”
The ANC won 27 seats in the Mpumalanga provincial assembly, followed by the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party with nine seats.
MK is the new official opposition party in Mpumalanga province, where the EFF holds seven seats and the DA six.
Freedom Front Plus and ActionSA have one seat each.
EFF leader Coren Sedibe says he doesn't expect anything new from the seventh government.
“As long as the ANC is in power, the people of Mpumalanga should expect nothing. There is no water supply, schools are in ruins, hospitals and clinics lack medical facilities and medicines. Children have to cross rivers to get to school. There are no footbridges. So there is nothing new to bring with an ANC government.”
The Mpumalanga Council of Traditional Leaders hopes that the seventh government will successfully address the challenges in villages and towns.
“We want to congratulate the new Premier on being elected to lead the province. Fortunately, the Premier understands Ubokosi well. He was MEC of CoGTA before moving to Public Works. As an amakhosi, we look to him for service delivery, we look to him to bring new entry and virtue to amakhosi and to look into issues that are adversely affecting amakhosi,” says Kgosi Lamech Mokoena.
Ndlovu is expected to appoint the executive committee members next Tuesday.