ANC elects female premiers for Mpumalanga and Free State

The ANC has appointed Mpumalanga Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Refilwe Mtsweni and ANC Women’s League deputy president Sisi Ntombela as premiers-elect for Mpumalanga and Free State, respectively.

ANCWL deputy president Sisi Ntombela addresses journalists on Wednesday on the ANC NWC’s decision to appoint her as premier elect of the Free State. pic.twitter.com/EncqSmchy5

— Mail & Guardian (@mailandguardian) March 14, 2018

Mtsweni was acting premier of Mpumalanga. She succeeded former premier David Mabuza, after he was appointed deputy president of South Africa.

Despite objections from opposition parties that COGTA MEC Refilwe Mtsweni replace Deputy President David Mabuza as Mpumalanga Premier, the ANC confirmed her appointment on Wednesday. Mtsweni called upon media and civil society to work with the government to build a better SA. pic.twitter.com/s7dPmV2SZ7

— Mail & Guardian (@mailandguardian) March 14, 2018

Ntombela was the Social Development MEC in Free State.

They are premiers-elect until legislature confirms their positions.

ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule announced the names on Wednesday, following the party’s National Working Committee meeting on Monday.

The two replace Mabuza and Magashule, who was the premier of Free State.

The ANC has previously been criticised for failing to appoint women to the key provincial positions. While the party governs eight provinces, it previously had one female premier – Sylvia Lucas in the Northern Cape. —New24