NEWLY appointed Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle said he balanced “experience with renewal” when he announced his new 10-member executive council (exco) yesterday.
Five new faces have been introduced to the provincial executive, while three have been retained and two redeployed to new portfolios.
The biggest winner was ANC deputy chairman Sakhumzi Somyo, who replaces both economic affairs and tourism MEC Mcebisi Jonas and finance MEC Masualle, to lead both under one portfolio.
Masualle also announced that he had separated transport from roads and public works to form a separate department. To lead the new transport, safety and liaison department he introduced Weziwe Tikana, who is ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe’s cousin.
Former speaker of parliament Fikile Xasa has been given the task of changing the fortunes of the troubled co-operative governance and traditional affairs department as the ANC faces an uphill climb towards the 2016 local government elections. The department boasts the worst performing municipalities in the country, including OR Tambo, Port St Johns and Mbizana.
Xasa is not the only one who has been thrown in the deep end. Former Mbhashe mayor Dr Phumeza Dyantyi is now the new health MEC. The Saturday Dispatch understands that both Xasa and Dyantyi were hesitant to accept their new responsibilities, but Masualle convinced them.
Masualle applauded his team, saying if things go according to plan, everyone would serve their full term in office because the team boasts “seasoned leaders, schooled in the congress movement”.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate the MECs and wish them well in their portfolios, and government work that lies ahead,” Masualle said.
He also called for his comrades in the ANC, MPLs and other stakeholders such as the media and “people of the Eastern Cape to support them ” but also “hold them accountable”.
He moved the planning commission from treasury to his office (OTP), as well as coordination of women, youth and people with disability. “Processes to realise this function shift will kick in immediately,” he said.
Further, he said, exco would conduct an assessment to determine whether roads and environmental affairs, as well as strategic skills functions were best located where they are currently.
It’s all hands on deck
Five new faces have been introduced to the provincial executive, while three have been retained and two redeployed to new portfolios.
The biggest winner was ANC deputy chairman Sakhumzi Somyo, who replaces both economic affairs and tourism MEC Mcebisi Jonas and finance MEC Masualle, to lead both under one portfolio.
Masualle also announced that he had separated transport from roads and public works to form a separate department. To lead the new transport, safety and liaison department he introduced Weziwe Tikana, who is ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe’s cousin.
Former speaker of parliament Fikile Xasa has been given the task of changing the fortunes of the troubled co-operative governance and traditional affairs department as the ANC faces an uphill climb towards the 2016 local government elections. The department boasts the worst performing municipalities in the country, including OR Tambo, Port St Johns and Mbizana.
Xasa is not the only one who has been thrown in the deep end. Former Mbhashe mayor Dr Phumeza Dyantyi is now the new health MEC. The Saturday Dispatch understands that both Xasa and Dyantyi were hesitant to accept their new responsibilities, but Masualle convinced them.
Masualle applauded his team, saying if things go according to plan, everyone would serve their full term in office because the team boasts “seasoned leaders, schooled in the congress movement”.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate the MECs and wish them well in their portfolios, and government work that lies ahead,” Masualle said.
He also called for his comrades in the ANC, MPLs and other stakeholders such as the media and “people of the Eastern Cape to support them ” but also “hold them accountable”.
He moved the planning commission from treasury to his office (OTP), as well as coordination of women, youth and people with disability. “Processes to realise this function shift will kick in immediately,” he said.
Further, he said, exco would conduct an assessment to determine whether roads and environmental affairs, as well as strategic skills functions were best located where they are currently.
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