In a swift turn of events, Makhosazane Masilela, formerly the MEC for economic development and tourism, has been elected as the new Speaker of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature (MPL).

Her election, which took place unopposed during the MPL sitting on July 17, comes just two days after Premier Mandla Ndlovu reshuffled his Cabinet and removed her from her position as MEC.

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Masilela’s return to the Speaker’s chair marks a significant development in Mpumalanga’s political landscape, especially given her prior experience in the role. She served as the MPL Speaker from 2021 to 2024, indicating her familiarity and expertise with the legislative processes.Her election follows the vacancy left by Lindi Masina, who vacated the Speaker’s position after her appointment as the new MEC for education.

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While the reasons for her initial removal from the MEC position have not been explicitly detailed, Premier Ndlovu emphasised that the changes were necessary to ensure proper governance and to strengthen the response to service delivery challenges.

Masilela’s rapid redeployment to the Speaker’s role suggests a continued trust in her capabilities within the provincial leadership. Her resumption of the MPL Speaker role is expected to bring stability and continuity to the legislative arm of the province, leveraging her past experience in this position.