The African National Congress (ANC) has not made a decision on the position of its deputy secretary general after incumbent Thandi Modise was appointed North West premier, spokesperson Brain Sokutu said on Friday.
The position was full-time and the ANC would discuss who would be acting in the job until the 2012 conference.
“The ANC will hold a discussion and decide on the matter urgently now that she has been sworn in,” he said.
The person replacing Modise would be acting, because she was elected to the position at the Polokwane conference.
Modise, who was appointed premier on Friday, received a positive response from parties in the province after her appointment.
“She has the respect of all and has knowledge of the province,” said Democratic Alliance provincial leader Chris Hattingh.
The new premier should continue fraud and corruption investigations instituted by her predecessor Maureen Modiselle.
“She must crack the whip,” he said.
SACP and Cope happy with the changes
SA Communist Party spokesperson Kaizer Mohau said: “We are certain that given her political maturity and leadership, she will help in building the ANC that we know.”
Modise would help unify factions that had emerged in the ruling party across the province.
The next challenge facing the ANC-led alliance was to ensure a speedy and proper process towards the provincial conference of the ANC in the North West, he said.
Nikiwe Num, provincial leader of the Congress of the People, said: “She is a strong woman who has the ability to turn around the situation in the province.”
Modise had the ability to put forward the need of the people.
“She can distinguish between being a public representative and representing a party. She respects people regardless of their political affiliation,” Num said. — Sapa