Central SA
New Free State cabinet announced─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 06:25 Fri, 21 Jun 2024
“You cannot be a speaker forever. She played her role by the time she was a speaker here, and now she must graduate, come to the executive and assist us.”
The recently reelected speaker of the Free State Legislature has been named the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture.
New Free State Premier MaQween Letspoha Mathae announced her new cabinet in Bloemfontein on Thursday (20/6), marking the start of the seventh administration. Emphasising the administration's focus on fighting corruption and providing quality services, Mathae introduced a streamlined provincial executive council now consisting of nine members, down from the previous ten.
The announcement of Sifuba as part of the EXCO caused a stir, given her reelection as speaker just a few days after Mathae was also elected premier unopposed.
Mathae, however, defended her decision, highlighting her long-standing commitment to promoting women in leadership roles. “People must graduate,” Mathae said. “You cannot be a speaker forever. She played her role by the time she was a speaker here, and now she must graduate, come to the executive and assist us.”
The new cabinet reflects continuity and change, with several members retained despite changes in roles and a few new faces joining the EXCO.
Returning members include Moses Ketso Makume as MEC for Finance, Tourism & Economic Development; Dibolelo Kathleen Mahlatsi as MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure; Nokwanje Selina Leeto as MEC for Social Development; and Teboho Zacharia Mokoena as MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs, and Human Settlements.
New appointments include Sifuba as MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture; Dr. Mantlhake Julia Maboya as MEC for Education; Monyatso Viceroy Mahlatsi as MEC for Health; Jabu Ntsokolo Ishmael Mbalula as MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport; and Elizabeth Cornelia Rockman as MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development; and Environmental Affairs.
Mathae introduced a streamlined provincial executive council now consisting of nine members, down from the previous ten. Photo: Facebook
Limakatso Mahasa, the former MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, is absent from the new administration. Former premier Mxolisi Dukwana suspended her after a scandal involving R3 million spent on an unsuccessful event in Thaba Nchu. An audio recording of Mahasa questioning the expenditures and procedural integrity related to the event and Premier Soccer Tournament held at Dr Petrus Molemela stadium in March, further fueled the controversy.
Dukwana himself did not return to the executive council. However, he remains the chairperson of the ANC, and there it’s understood that he might assume the vacant positionof speaker in the provincial legislature.
Mathae emphasised the administration’s focus on fighting corruption and providing quality services. Photo: Facebook
Others who did not make the cut, include Makalo Mohale, the former MEC for Education, who also handled Arts and Culture duties after Mahasa’s suspension. Thabo Meeko missed the cut after serving as DESTEA MEC and later Social Development MEC following the arrest of Motshidisi Koloi.
