N West: new govt takes shape
Thapelo Sakoana
4 May 2004
The 33 members of the North West provincial legislature - including the province's new premier, Ednah Molewa - have been sworn in, and the province's cabinet for the next five years announced.
Thandi Modise was appointed Speaker of the provincial legislature at last week's swearing-in ceremony in Mafikeng, while George Madoda was appointed Deputy Speaker.
After her inauguration as premier at the end of last week, Molewa announced the new Members of the Executive Council (MECs) for her province, saying she was satisfied that "this competent team, on whose shoulders the hopes and aspirations of millions of our people reside, have the passion and the requisite skills to discharge their responsibilities".
The former Speaker of the provincial legislature, Johannes Tselapedi, was appointed MEC for education, while Ndleleni Duma was appointed MEC for agriculture, conservation, environment and tourism.
Former Social Services, Arts, Culture
and Sports MEC Elliot Mayisela was appointed MEC for health, while former Security and Liaison MEC Nomende Rasmeri was appointed MEC for social development.
Howard Yawa is the province's new MEC for public works, Jerry Thibedi is MEC for transport and roads, and Maureen Modiselle is MEC for safety and liaison.
Darkey Africa will be the province's MEC for finance and economic development for the next five years.
Former Transport MEC Phenye Vilakazi was appointed MEC for local government and housing, and Nikiwe Num was appointed MEC for sports, arts and culture.
Speaking at Friday's inauguration ceremony, Molewa said her province needed to maximise agricultural production and increase its manufacturing capacity to become an economic powerhouse in the country.
"At a time when Africa is fast becoming economically integrated, our geographic location presents us with the opportunity to benefit from the pan-African synergies envisaged by Nepad [the New
Partnership for Africa's Development] and presented by the Platinum Highway", Molewa said.
She added that North West also needed to develop an appeal for tourists and to explore its mineral-rich landscape further.
Source: BuaNews
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