The Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, spoke on the strengthening of the healthcare system at Provincial Command Centre in Ormonde during his media briefing on December 2.
He announced that Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi will be the new MEC for Health, replacing Dr Bandile Masuku who he said he is in a protracted case with the Special Investigating Unit.
Premier Makhubu said in filling the vacancy in the health portfolio, he has decided to look broadly at the executive council and specifically at some of the areas that need strengthening to improve the performance of the provincial government.
“Our programme has been seriously affected by the pandemic and as we continue to recover, but then we also need to strengthen key areas of the executive council.
“Health continues to lead our comprehensive response to Covid-19 but our recovery programme, especially economic reconstruction, will be driven by the other portfolios in both economic and social clusters,” he said.
Dr Mokgethi is not new to the health sector. She has 27 years of experience in local government, where she served as a municipal manager in three different municipalities and was a former nurse from the West Rand.
Other changes to the executive council include the announcement of the new MEC for Social Development, Morakane Mosupyoe, and Parks Tau as the new MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Environment.
“MEC Mosupyoe is not new to the social development sector. She has previously held the position of chairperson of the portfolio committee on Social Development in the Gauteng Legislature and also served as MMC for Health and Social Development in the City of Tshwane.
“Tau has a wealth of experience accumulated over many years as both MMC and mayor in the City of Johannesburg. This reshuffle with strengthen Team Gauteng in ensuring that the provincial government’s response to Covid-19 is reinforced,” said Makhura.
