ANC chairperson Panyaza Lesufi has been elected the seventh Premier of Gauteng during a special sitting of the provincial legislature.
He garnered 38 votes against 22 of the DA’s candidate, Solly Msimanga.
Lesufi’s election follows the sudden resignation of David Makhura.
Makhura, who has served in the position since 2014, resigned on Tuesday after serving in the portfolio for eight years.
During his acceptance speech, Lesufi promised to serve the people of Gauteng with dignity and integrity.
“Today is a reminder that we must serve with integrity, humility and dignity. It takes all of us to pick ourselves up. Our citizens have many challenges, but we must remain firm to serve them. As long as our townships are still the way they are, our freedom has not arrived. As long we still have informal settlements, we have not accomplished our tasks,” said Lesufi.
“But I want to affirm one thing – I am just a last servant that must conclude the last part of the administration led by former Premier David Makhura. Premier Makhura led from the front and remain a hard act to follow. We thank you for your ethical leadership. Our province will remain indebted to you.”
Lesufi said he expects to announce his new Cabinet on Friday, after consultations with his party.
“We will then go for our Lekgotla tomorrow afternoon [Friday] after the announcement of the New Executive Council.”
ANC Provincial Secretary TK Nciza said after the special provincial executive committee meeting on Tuesday that the province’s controversial e-tolls system, unemployment and the energy crisis will be top of the party’s agenda under Lesufi.
Service delivery protests are common in Gauteng, high crime rates worry residents and the province’s economy is also under enormous pressure.
“We must work very hard in making sure that we deal with this unemployment. The issue of energy is at the top of the agenda, the issue of e-tolls are at the top of the agenda,” said Nciza.
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