Statement by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms Sylvia Lucas, on the announcement of the Executive Council Reshuffle
Members of the media
After protracted discussions with the Top 5 officials of the Provincial Executive Committee as well as the National officials of the ANC, I have taken the decision to make changes to the Provincial Executive Council. The Provincial elective conference signalled a new era for the ANC as well as Government. It is for this reason that the decision was taken that it would be unprecedented not to have some of the new members of the Top 5 in the ANC serving in Government. This decision was further spurred on by the resignation of the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Mr Alvin Botes, who is awaiting his deployment to the National Assembly.
I want to pause a while and pay special tribute to Comrade Alvin Botes for the dedicated service to the people of this Province. Comrade Alvin has always been a disciplined person both in office and in his personal capacity. He contributed immensely to the development of the Northern Cape and its people in the portfolio he served with distinction. It is during his tenure that the Northern Cape became the recipient of R500 million from under-performing provinces on the human settlements grant that enabled extensive housing development in our Province. He was and I believe will always be a true servant of the people and his beloved ANC. He is indeed a true servant of the people and the organisation, when called upon to serve elsewhere he heeded the call. I know that your roots are deeply entrenched in the Northern Cape and wherever you serve, the Province will be in your heart, so go and serve the people of this Province and the country well.
Secondly the MEC for Nature Conservation and Environmental Affairs, Ms Tiny Chotelo, will also vacate her position and return to the Provincial Legislature. I wish to thank her for her service to the people of the Northern Cape in the various portfolios she has served in the Executive. Thank you for the diligent manner in which you conducted your assignment and thank you for being a disciplined member of the Executive. I wish her well as we thank her for her selfless service.
The changes to the Provincial Cabinet will come into effect immediately and are as follows:
- Mr Bentley Vass who is the Deputy Chairperson of the ANC will become the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs
- Ms Fufe Makatong who is the Treasurer of the ANC will become the MEC for Health
- The current MEC for Health will become the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison
- The current MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison will become the MEC for Nature Conservation and Environmental Affairs
All other MECs will remain in their current portfolios. It is expected that these MECs; with their respective departments, will remain committed to ensuring a competent administration that will allow for a seamless transition next year after the election.
The Northern Cape Provincial Government remains committed to ensuring a competent Public Service that has the interests of the people of this Province at heart.
Thank you
Enquiries:
Ms Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams
E-mail: bthomas-abrahams@ncpg.gov.za
