The decision that Dukwana is the preferred candidate to be thenew  provincial premier was taken by the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC). The committee interviewed Dukwana, the deputy chairperson Ketso Makume and the province’s deputy secretary Dibolelo Mahlatsi. 

The letter signed by the Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula addressed to the ANC Provincial Executive Committee's (PEC) Provincial Secretary, Polediso Motsoeneng, details that the three candidates are of a high calibre and have the potential to play meaningful roles as deployees in a number of spheres of government. The letter states that Dukwana is seen in the light of being the perfect fit because of his experience and the challenges faced in the province.

ALSO READ: Ntombela resigns as Free State premier

Ntombela surrendered the seat on Tuesday 21 February 2023, effective from Friday 24 February 2023. In her resignation letter, she expresses her appreciation for the support that was offered to her. “Together we have tried our best in difficult circumstances to meet the expectations of our people,” reads the letter. 

Many associated her reign in the province with the era of former Premier Magashule. The recalling of Ntombela comes weeks after the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) made a call for the removal of the embattled Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro Municipality's Mayor, Mxolisi Siyonzana, to be removed as the mayor. 

In January 2023, the Secretary-General of the ANC, Fikile Mbalula, lashed out at Siyonzana. Speaking at the ANC Youth League's Peter Mokaba Memorial Lecture in the Free State on Saturday 7 January 2023, Mabalula accused Siyonzana of "sleeping on the job".

ALSO READ: ’Free State ANC is pro-Dukwana camp’ – Analyst

A political analyst at the University of the Free State, Sethulego Matebesi, previously said there have been a lot of grievances in the province. This was after the news broke that Ntombela is among seven MECs who failed to make the list of the newly appointed PEC members, which are Tate Makgoe, Montsheng Tsiu, Makalo Mohale, William Bulwane, Thembeni Ngxangisa, Limakatso Mahasa and Mamiki Qabathe. He stated that the new top five members of the PEC is a way of the ANC "doing a clean sweep”.  "Perhaps the ANC delegates felt this will be the moment for them to select members who will advance the so-called ‘renewal narrative'. I do not believe many of us thought in terms of the PEC members that this is what was going to happen, but perhaps the members of the ANC are tired and they want to start on a new slate," he added.

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