South Africa’s ruling African National Congress named its candidates for premiers in the nine provinces on Wednesday night, after a national working committee meeting of the ruling party was held in the Mother City. It is the first time that candidates have only been named after the election.
The ANC will take the premierships in all nine provinces for the first time since democracy in 1994.
While early on in the election campaign President Thabo Mbeki hinted that he preferred Ebrahim Rasool as candidate for the premiership in the highly contested province of the Western Cape, Rasool was only named officially last night as premier-elect.
This follows an ANC victory in the province — although it fell short of the 51% to enjoy an outright majority. It is expected to rule the province together with two — or possibly three — MECs from the New National Party. Rasool, who has been Finance MEC, will replace the New National Party’s leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk, who will be sworn in as a member of the National Assembly on Friday.
In the other highly-contested province of KwaZulu Natal Sibusiso “S’bu” Ndebele, the outgoing Transport MEC and provincial leader, has been named premier-elect. He will replace the Inkatha Freedom Party’s Lionel Mtshali, whose party came second in last week’s provincial poll after enjoying 10 years of predominance in the province.
Mtshali — his party’s national chairperson — can be expected to hold a provincial cabinet position, although the details of a deal with the IFP have not been divulged.
Former ANC caucus leader in the National Assembly “Thabang” (full names Sampson Phathakge) Makwetla — who had been seventh on the provincial list — replaces Ndaweni Mahlangu, who had topped the candidates’ list in Mpumalanga.
Makwetla has latterly been the Safety MEC in the province.
Meanwhile Beatrice Marshoff, the Welfare MEC in the Free State province, replaces Isabella “Winkie” Direko, who — like Van Schalkwyk — comes to Parliament. Direko had not been destined for a second term as she was 38th on the national list for the National Assembly.
Sello Moloto, the Health MEC in Limpopo, replaces Ngoako Ramatlhodi who comes to Parliament as well. Ramatlhodi is widely expected to be appointed to a position in the cabinet — expected to be announced after President Mbeki’s inauguration on April 27. Moloto topped the list of provincial candidates for the ruling party.
Ramatlhodi, who had also completed two terms as premier, was number 27 on the National Assembly candidates’ list.
Bomo Edna Edith (known as Edna) Molewa, who was number three on the candidates’ list for North West, will replace Popo Molefe, who has completed two terms as premier in the province. Molewa came behind Darkie Africa and Zacharia Pitso Tolo on the list. Molefe was 21 on the National Assembly list and will also be sworn in as a MP on Friday.
Zisiwe Beauty (known as Nomisa) Balindlela, the current MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, replaces the Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile. Stofile, the provincial chairperson, is expected to remain in the legislature. Balindlela was number three on the list for the legislature behind Stofile, a former ANC chief whip in Parliament, and outgoing Finance MEC Enoch Godongwana.
In the Northern Cape, health MEC Dipuo Peters is the surprise choice although he was well behind Education MEC Tina Joemat-Pettersson, who was in first place on the provincial list. Peters was in 12th position.
Peters will replace Emsley Manne Dipico — who was 10th on the ANC list for the National Assembly — as Northern Cape Premier. He had completed two terms as Premier and is also considered a strong candidate for the national cabinet.
The only premier to retain his position is Mbhazima Shilowa in Gauteng, who will enter his second — and last — constitutional term.
The official opposition last night commented on the line-up saying it was “underwhelming”. Apart from “two or three personalities, the ANC has chosen total unknowns,” said DA chief whip Douglas Gibson.
“In democracies, the voters have the right to choose their leaders. It is a pity that the ANC denied the voters that right in South Africa.”
“Looking at the list, the DA understands why the ANC kept the names of its premier candidates a secret,” said Gibson. – I-Net Bridge