Free State premier Mxolisi Dukwana has pumped new blood to his cabinet with the hope of fulfilling his promise to deliver much-needed services.
Dukwana’s provincial cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday saw a number of MECs who served under former premier Sisi Ntombela being shown the door.
However, the premier, who rose to the highest office in February after winning the vote to chair the ANC in the province in January, chose to retain some of the executive members.
Among those who escaped an axe and were retained in the provincial government were Makalo Mohale, Motshedise Koloi, Gadija Brown, and Limakatso Mahasa.
They will be joined by new faces in government including Toto Makume, Mathabo Leeto, Dibolelo Mahlatsi, and MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae. Also joining the new-look provincial cabinet is Thabo Meeko, former chief whip of the ANC.
Dukwana fired Montsheng Tsiu, Mamiki Qabathe, William Bulwane, and Thembeni Nxangisa and replaced them with new appointees. Most are the top leaders of the ANC provincial executive committee (PEC).
Tsiu, Qabathe, Bulwane, and Nxangisa were serving as MECs for health, social development, police, roads, transport, and agriculture, respectively.
All four axed MECs failed to make it to the PEC shortlist with their former boss Ntombela.
Makume, who is also the ANC deputy chairperson, alongside Leeto, the provincial treasurer, and deputy secretary Mahlatsi are among new MECs in Dukwana’s administration.
Jabu Mbalula, ANC spokesperson in the province, said his party has noted and welcomed the reconfiguration of the executive council.
“It is our considered view that these changes will accelerate and deepen our advance towards a responsive, people-centred, and accountable government,” said Mbalula.
“The ANC is inspired that the changes in the executive council are in line with the resolutions we made at our PEC Lekgotla, as well as the pronouncements made by the premier in his State of the Province Address.
“The ANC wishes to thank the premier for having shown bold leadership and deep commitment towards the principles of the ANC, as well as being able to consult widely before making these decisions.”
MECs and their departments:
• Toto Makume – MEC for cooperative governance, traditional affairs and human settlements
• Mathabo Leeto – MEC for health
• Dibolelo Mahlatsi – MEC for public works and infrastructure
• MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae – MEC for community safety, roads and transport
• Makalo Mohale – MEC for education
• Thabo Meeko – MEC for economic and small business development, tourism and environmental affairs
• Motshedise Koloi – MEC for social development
• Gadija Brown – MEC for finance
• Limakatso Mahasa – MEC for sport, arts, culture and recreation
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