Having his chances of becoming KwaZulu-Natal Premier thwarted, ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma lives to see another day.
Duma, who was the MEC for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs in the 6th provincial administration, was on Tuesday thrown a lifeline by new KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. He now assumes the position of new portfolio of transport and human settlements.
Ntuli was inaugurated as premier on Tuesday morning at a glittering ceremony at the Woodburn stadium. The venue is in Pietermaritzburg, the capital city of the province. He said the people yearned for service delivery and good governance.
“Throughout the election campaigns we’ve heard the cries of the people. Together with my new executive, I promise that we will work for you. We will deliver services, hope and prosperity,” Ntuli said.
Cautioned members to work for a common goal
He conceded that his cabinet included members who come from different political homes. However, he cautioned them against using their positions to advance narrow personal interests. He warned against dividing communities along party lines.
“We have a mammoth task to rebuild KwaZulu-Natal. Although we come from different political homes, this should not be a factor in delivering services to the people,” he said.
The IFP chair in the province and former mayor of King Cetshwayo promised to monitor compliance. He vowed to conduct a performance audit on members of the executive to ensure they delivered on their responsibilities. The new premier ascends the seat left vacant by ANC’s Nomusa Dube-Ncube. She unexpectedly did not pitch for the inauguration. The former premier was due to officially hand over the baton to the new premier.
Duma, on the other hand, looked jovial during the proceedings. He becomes the first ANC chairperson to not become premier of the province. This was since since the ANC took power from the IFP in 2004.
His detractors are quick to say Duma was the mastermind behind his own demise, citing his public conduct. He received backlash from opposition parties. They claimed he was on a crusade to undermine Dube-Ncube, overshadowing her at any given chance.
Duma’s string of controversies
Duma made it a habit to appear and address crucial events only reserved to be addressed by the premier. But what would have muddied the already tainted image of Duma was the mic-grabbing incident. There he grabbed the mic from Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the AmaZulu traditional prime minister. The saga played itself out in KwaCeza near Ulundi, northern KZN. This in front of AmaZulu king MisuZulu KaZwelithini and head of state president Cyril Ramaphosa.
Duma, dissatisfied with Reverend Buthelezi’s utterances, rushed to grab the mic from him saying: “uyanhlanhlatha”, a common Zulu word meaning “you’re out of line”. He further charged “Uhulumeni unamandla” meaning “government has power”.
The antics angered amabutho (regiments) who were baying for his blood. This and other shenanigans are believed to have sealed the fate of Duma and his party. They were reduced to a 14 seats party in the 80 seats provincial legislature. In the last elections in 2019, the party garnered 44 seats after recording 54% of the provincial vote.
The event was held to commemorate the heroic deeds of the late AmaZulu King BhekuZulu kaCetshwayo. He was banished to St Helena for revolting against the poll tax. The tax was imposed on traditional communities by the British colonial government.
Other ANC deployees made the cut
Other ANC deployees who made the cut in the new cabinet of the government of provincial unity include Sipho Hlomuka. He was reassigned in the education portfolio. Hlomuka was previously the MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs. It has now been given to Reverend Buthelezi, the former mayor of Zululand district municipality.
Nomagugu Simelane was retained as MEC for health. The IFP received an additional three portfolios. Agriculture headed by Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa and arts and culture overseen by senior party leader Muntomuhle Khawula. Musa Zondi is the party’s veteran and close confidant of the late party founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. He was given the economic development portfolio.
The DA scored critical finance portfolio with party provincial chairman Francois Rodgers given the task. Lucas Meyer who is now the new MEC for public works.
Other provincial GNU parties given portfolios
The NFP holds the centre in the new pact involving the DA, ANC and the IFP. It was rewarded with the portfolio of social development, presided over by Mbali Shinga.
Ntuli decided to place the portfolio of community safety and liaison in the office of the premier.
MECs who were sent packing include Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, former MEC for arts and culture. Ex education MEC Mbali Frazer and social development’s Nonhlanhla Khoza. Also Peggy Nkonyeni of finance and Sipho Nkosi of human settlements and public works.
