Mabuza announces new cabinet

HIGHVELD – Mr David Mabuza began his second term as the Premier of Mpumalanga on Thursday, 29 May.

He said there is lot of work ahead in response of the development and service delivery needs of the people.

“We are ready to move forward with speed and a renewed sense of urgency in service to the millions of people in this province who mandated the ANC to serve them for another five years,” said Mr Mabuza.

He announced his new Members of the Executive Committee (MECs) on Friday.

“I have assembled a team of men and women to form part of the executive that will be tasked with leading and taking this province to greater heights.

“I have confidence that their skills and experience will contribute immensely to our efforts of speeding up development and service delivery.

“As part of strengthening the delivery machinery of government, we have decided to reorganise and restructure some of our departments in order to focus on those aspects of Government work that require urgent attention,” said Mr Mabuza.

The Department of Health and Social Services have been spilt into two departments with each having a dedicated MEC.

“We want to ensure that we give targeted focus on addressing challenges in our health care system as well as ensuring that we are able to respond to social development challenges raised by the communities.

“We will have a new Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism

“The environmental services function in the current Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Environment will be incorporated into the Department of Agriculture to form a new Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environment Affairs.

The 10-member executive committee are Ms Violet Siwela for the Department of Human Settlements, Ms Nomsa Mtshweni for the Department of Social Development, Ms Reginah Mhaule for the Department of Education, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Ms Norah Mahlangu for the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation and Ms Goodness Nhlengethwa for the Department Public Works and Transport.

Messrs Andries Gamede moved from the Department of Human Settlements to the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs and Vusi Shongwe remains in the Department of Safety and Community Liaison.

Messrs Gideon Mashele was appointed to lead the Department of Health and Eric Kholwane to the Department of Finance.