The ANC has announced its premier candidates in seven provinces following the conclusion of the 2024 national and provincial elections.
On Thursday, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the party conducted interviews with premier candidates between Monday and Wednesday.
Mbalula said the chairperson of the ANC’s electoral committee, Kgalema Motlanthe, conducted all the interviews.
Those who made the cut
The party has chosen Oscar Mabuyane to be premier of the Eastern Cape. Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae is to be premier of the Free State. Panyaza Lesufi made the list as premier of Gauteng. Phophi Ramathuba is to be premier of Limpopo. Mandla Ndlovu is to be the premier option for Mpumalanga. Kagiso Lazarus Mokgosi made the cut for North West premier, and Zamani Saul for the Northern Cape.
During the May 29 polls, the ANC obtained an outright majority in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, North West, the Free State, and Mpumalanga.
The party dropped below 50% in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Northern Cape, thus losing its dominance in the provinces.
Mbalula commended the ANC’s national officials for running the interview process with integrity and leadership.
“The National Officials posed a range of questions to the candidates covering ethical and capable leadership. [These values] as set out in Through the Eye of a Needle and the six priorities in the ANC 2024 Election Manifesto.
“They are critical to speeding up transformation and improving the lives of the people. These are our jobs plan and building our industries to include an inclusive economy. Also tackling the high cost of living and investing in people. Defending democracy and advancing freedom; and building a better Africa and the world.
Capable leaders who have vision, integrity
“They also interviewed candidates on building a developmental state. Building a capable local government. Protection of human rights and dignity of women, children, young people, older persons. [Also] protection of the rights of the LGBTQIA+ persons and promoting social cohesion. The national officials were impressed by the candidates that they interviewed. They commended provinces for the quality of their nominees,” said Mbalula.
“The ANC National Officials believe that the above comrades are equal to the challenges of our struggle. The struggle for a better life for all that are difficult and diverse. And require honest, capable, and dedicated leaders,” added Mbalula.
The ANC obtained 40.18% in the 2024 general national and provincial elections. It will be represented in the seventh parliament with 159 seats in the National Assembly.
President, speaker and deputy speaker to be elected
The National Assembly’s first sitting will take place on Friday at 10am. This will be at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
During the first sitting of the National Assembly, the assembly will elect the speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly.
The National Assembly will also elect the President of South Africa during this first sitting.
