Collen Maine returns as MEC as NW premier names new cabinet

While it’s his prerogative to select his 10-member cabinet, newly elected Premier Lazarus Mokgosi said on Wednesday his decision came after extensive consultation.

“I am confident that the Executive Council of the seventh administration is made up of men and women of high ethical standards who are committed to serving the people and understand the implications of the oath of office they are to take before assuming their official duties. The composition of the Executive Council affirms our commitment to assert gender equality and representation.

"It is a collective of institutional memory, fresh talents, and skills required to accelerate service delivery and build on the foundation of the sixth administration,” the premier said.

The Western Cape, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal have named their cabinets, and the Free State Premier announced her cabinet on Thursday.

Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and Mpumalanga are yet to make their announcements.

There aren’t many new faces in the new North West executive. Former health MEC Madoda Sambatha is moving to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Oageng Molapisi is moving from Roads and Transport to Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs, and Human Settlements, where he replaces Nono Maloyi, who was acting premier in the previous administration.

Other returnees are Sello Lehari, who takes over Health, and Viola Motsumi, who retains her Education portfolio.

Former African National Congress Youth League president Collen Maine returns as Sports, Arts, and Culture MEC after previously serving under Supra Mahumapelo.

Bitsa Lenkopane, who heads up the Department of Economic Development, Conservation, and Tourism, is new to the provincial government. Elizabeth Mokua is in Public Works and Roads, and  Wessels Morweng is in the Community Safety and Transport Management Department.

Former legislature speaker Sussana Dantjie is the new MEC for Social Development.

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