Panyaza Lesufi is set to run Gauteng province for another five years after being re-elected unopposed during the first sitting of the provincial legislature in the 7th administration.
Lesufi was nominated by his party the ANC with the DA seconding while no other parties fielded candidates.
The ANC provincial treasurer Morakane Mosupyoe and member of the DA’s federal executive Refiloe Ntshekhe were also re-elected unopposed in what the ANC believes is an indication that the Government of Provincial Unity is going to be a success.
“You would have seen for yourself that the nomination of speaker was seconded by MK and there was no rival candidate for any of the positions so you should expect that when we elect committee chairpersons of committees things will be just as smooth,” said provincial secretary TK Nciza adding that there’s an informal “understanding” with the provincial chapter of the Jacob Zuma led party.
The legislature also elected a delegation to go to the National Council of Provinces and is expected to choose chairpersons of portfolio committees in the next sitting. Lesufi said he will do final consultations with political parties and announce a provincial cabinet before the end of next week.
“We are rushing to Cape Town to set up NCOP tomorrow and then return to continue consultations with political parties and then we should be able to announce the executive,” said Lesufi.
In Limpopo Phophi Ramathuba was also elected unopposed to become premier as was Zamani Saul in the Northern Cape and Oscar Mabuyane in the Eastern Cape.
KwaZulu-Natal was expected to have more contestation as the margins between the two opposing camps led by the ANC and MK.