Nkopane announced as the new Eastern Cape MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure

Ntombovuyo Nkopane is the new MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in the Eastern. She is taking over the reigns from the former MEC Babalo Madikizela who resigned from the position two weeks ago. This was announced by Premier Oscar Mabuyane during a media briefing on Tuesday.

Speaking during the media briefing Premier Mabuyane said change in his cabinet is necessitated by the former MEC of Public Works & Infrastructure who asked to be released from the Executive. “This necessitated that I undertake an intense process of finding a long-term solution of filling the vacancy to the conclusion of this term. In doing so, I also had to consider the fact that we are halfway through the term of the 6th Administration which is more like the second half of a soccer match . Our prize at the end of this term is the achievement of the ANC 2019 Manifesto commitments. We want to go back to our people in 2024 and say we achieved what they sent us to do in government”, he said.

Mabuyane said  he has decided to move some MECs to new portfolios and he has also appointed three new MECs to the Executive with the intention of adding agility in the provision of services to our communities. This has resulted to the Premier moving some of the MEC and adding new ones.

1. Hon. Xolile Nqata moves from Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs to Transport and Community Safety.
2. Hon. Nonceba Kontsiwe moves from Human Settlements to Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture.
3. Hon. Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi moves from Social Development to Human Settlements.

The new Members of the Executive Council are:

1. a) Hon. Zolile Williams who will take over as MEC for COGTA
2. b) Hon. Bukiwe Fanta is the new MEC for Social Development
3. c) Hon. Ntombovuyo Nkopane is the new MEC Public Works & Infrastructure

This team ticks the right boxes in terms of the requisite leadership skills, the 60/40 percent gender equity in favour of women MECs, and the geographic spread of the province. As you know Mr Zolile Williams who is now MEC for Cogta was a serial achiever of clean audits at the Joe Gqabi District Municipality. His experience in the local government environment will certainly bring about improvements in audit outcomes and functioning of our municipalities.

Ms Fanta who is now our MEC for Social Development is an activist for women’s emancipation. And we all know that the majority of the people who are serviced by Social Development are women, the elderly, and children. We believe she is the right person currently to lead our efforts of serving our vulnerable groups. We have many families that live in poverty and inhumane conditions with some headed by children. She will work with her team and NGOs to alleviate the plight of such families.

Ms Ntombovuyo Nkopane will build on the solid foundation laid by former MEC Madikizela of an agile Public Works and Infrastructure Department. We want to see more previously disadvantaged contractors growing with the support of the department and the transformation of the property sector utilising the government property portfolio.

“I call upon the Heads of Departments, government officials, and all stakeholders in the affected departments to offer the new MECs maximum support in our collective endeavor to fight unemployment, poverty, and inequality. Umsebenzi abazowenza ayingoweziqu zabo, ngowokuziza uphuhliso nenkqubela phambili eluntwini lwaseMpuma Kapa”, concluded Mabuyane

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