The new cabinet in the Northern Cape, announced last week, has been reduced from ten MECs to seven because the ANC lost three seats after the recent election.
With the number of MPLs reduced to 15, there were not enough of them left to appoint ten MECs after the election of the premier, speaker, deputy speaker, chief whip, deputy chief whip, chairperson or chairpersons, and its deputy.
Some ministries were merged, but the number of departments remains at ten.
Dr Zamani Saul, Northern Cape premier, says his second tenure will be characterised by an accelerated and substantial impact, as he and his team of new MECs are experienced, and dedicated to continue what was started in 2019.
His executive team, together with HODs and senior managers, will attend a lekgotla in the next weeks to discuss priority issues like infrastructure, municipal water and sanitation issues, the mental hospital, and improved audit outcomes for departments and municipalities.
‘Massive infrastructure roll-out in province’
As the departments of Education, Health and Roads and Public Works are primary focus areas, they remain single entities.
The latter department must build and maintain libraries, schools, clinics and roads.
“This department will be the driving seat for massive infrastructure roll-out in the province.
“We need to build capacity to deliver projects on time and on budget.
“There will be improved continuity this time around,” Saul says.
Northern Cape MECs
- Bentley Vass for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Transport, Safety and Liaison;
- Abraham Vosloo, a qualified teacher, for Education;
- Maruping Lekwene for Health;
- Mase Manopole for Agriculture and Land Reform, Environmental Affairs and Nature Conservation;
- Venus Blennies for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism;
- Fufe Makatong for Roads and Public Works; and
- Nontobeko Vilakazi for Social Development, Sport, Arts and Culture, Youth, Women and People with Disabilities.
