EASTERN CAPE: Makhenkesi Stofile
Grade: B+
In a style not dissimilar from that of President Thabo Mbeki, “Stof” has become impatient for delivery and intolerant of inefficiency. He has insisted that African National Congress mayoral candidates are appointed by him. He has held an anti- corruption conference which resulted in practical suggestions and time frames. And he is turning his attention to the serious problem the Eastern Cape still has with civil servants, formerly attached to the apartheid homelands, who draw a salary but have no jobs to do – the province has more than 4E000 in agriculture alone. This is ultimately a national government problem, but Stofile is impatient to see it resolved.
Prognosis: The Eastern Cape could be about to experience a remarkable turnabout in governance. On the other hand, it might not.
FREE STATE: Winkie Direko
Grade: F
Since she took over as Free State premier, the virtually unknown Direko has absented herself from the provincial political scene. But we were relieved to hear she was still with us when she was appointed chancellor of Free State University. Direko was brought in to replace former premier Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, who had failed to unite the province’s two warring ANC factions. No sooner had Direko been appointed premier candidate than she alienated herself from one faction. And so matters have continued. Not only is her political leadership weak but so too, we understand, is her health. And so also, evidently, is her commitment to acting against corruption. She has been resisting probes into about 50 cases of alleged corruption.
Prognosis: Patently out of her depth.
GAUTENG: Mbhazima Shilowa
Grade: C
Shilowa’s appointment was met with mixed feelings across the country’s richest province. The cigar-smoking former trade union leader with a penchant for the finer things in life is now trying to project the image of a serious man getting on with the province’s business. Shilowa caused a political stir when he appointed an almost exclusively communist Cabinet, while isolating former premier Mathole Motshekga and all but one of those who had served under him. But Shilowa seems to have settled well into his new job. Gauteng’s finances are stable, there have been few school disruptions, his government has acted against taxi violence and few instances of corruption have come to light.
Prognosis: Shilowa should enjoy his Christmas dinner, as he might be on the menu next year. Some ANC Gauteng regions are sharpening their knives for the moment when they strike against what they consider a takeover by Shilowa’s cabal.
MPUMALANGA: Ndaweni Mahlangu
Grade: E
We are still mystified as to why Mbeki chose Mahlangu to take over Mpumalanga. One version which we cannot completely discount is that a different candidate with the same surname and at least one initial in common was recommended to Mbeki, and “Lies’s” appointment was an error. Mahlangu has kept a low profile since he told us it was okay for politicians to lie. He has brought back into government some of his former colleagues from KwaNdebele, where he was education minister.After re-appointing some disgraced MECs to their original portfolios following their axing for alleged corruption, Mahlangu has avoided the press. We are told he is working on bringing stability and clean administration to the province.
Prognosis: The mampara of the year is unlikely to make it till 2001. And that’s no lie.
NORTHERN PROVINCE: Ngoako Ramathlodi
Grade: B
Ramathlodi has managed to deal with political opposition from within the ANC during his first term. He has done well to end killings of so-called “witches”. But he has still to integrate into one effective civil service the former officials of Gazankulu, Lebowa and Venda. Andthe rural masses have yet to taste the fruits of freedom – access to water, electricity and phones – and there are significant pockets of corrupt officials who operate with apparent impunity.
Prognosis: Unless he can deliver, he could sooner rather than later face a voters’ witch-hunt.
NORTH-WEST: Popo Molefe
Grade: A-
Molefe has stamped his authority on the province, despite opposition. He appointed a probe into corruption and launched a forensic audit into fraud in education. He has generally not hesitated to expose corruption.
Prognosis: Appears destined for a national ANC post.
KWAZULU-NATAL: Lionel Mtshali
Grade: D
Within days of becoming premier, Mtshali commandeered the province’s Lear jet for his use. He then decreed that the VIP lounge at Ulundi’s Mangosuthu International Airport was for the exclusive use of himself and his guests. Next came the lifts at the provincial government headquarters in Durban. A sign in one decrees that passengers may at any time be evicted to make way for “his excellency, Lionel Mtshali”.
Prognosis: Mtshali wants Ulundi to be the sole capital of the province. This drab hell hole with the world’s smallest Holiday Innwould be a fitting headquarters for his banana republic.
NORTHERN CAPE: Manne Dipico
Rating: B+
No one was more surprised by the size of the ANC’s victory in the Northern Cape in June than Dipico himself. Much of the explanation lies in Dipico’s style of government. Every month the provincial Cabinet meets outside Kimberley and, afterwards, attends a public meeting where the community can ask questions of the MECs.
Prognosis: He may soon have to make a choice between his province and national office.
WESTERN CAPE: Gerald Morkel
Grade: C+
Morkel is probably the most boring man in South African politics, but the Western Cape’s people don’t seem to mind. He amazes with his ability to maintain his equanimity in the face of the collapse of his New National Party. He and his coalition government with the Democratic Party are doing well – a point conceded privately even by his ANC opponents. He treats most of the bickering between the national leaderships of the DP and NNP as background noise and just gets on with the job.
Prognosis: Barring a collective nervous breakdown within the NNP’s national leadership his coalition is likely to plod along in step.