MBOMBELA – Newly elected Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu says he will continue the legacy of his predecessors to better the lives of people in the province. Ndlovu was trusted with the role to lead the province following the election of the Speaker Lindi Masina and the Deputy Speaker Sam Masango.
“I am committed to upholding and building upon the legacy left by the previous Premiers of the province,” he said during his acceptance speech shortly after his election at the first sitting of the Mpumalanga provincial legislature held on Friday, June 14.
“We are continuing with the journey that was started by former Premier Mathew Phosa up to Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane.”
Ndlovu, ANC Mpumalanga chairperson, was elected unopposed during the first sitting and swearing-in of members of the 7th legislature, which was presided over by the Judge President of the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, Justice Segopotje Mphahlele.
He takes over the reins of leading the province from Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, who is now deployed to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) as chairperson.
“You have done your part and contributed to the whole. We wish her all the best as she will represent this province,” he said to the former Premier.
He also revealed he is going to present the government’s plans and priorities for the next five years, adding that he will align his party priorities with those of the government. “We are going to create more jobs, build industries to achieve an inclusive economy, tackle the high cost of living, invest in our people, defend democracy, and advance freedom,” he said.
He went on to say he commits to building, among others, effective corporate governance characterized by improved accountability and transparency, enhanced decision-making and strategic planning, better management of public resources and finances, increased efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.
“I am today standing in front of you to accept that I will work for the people of the Mpumalanga province. I solemnly declare that I will serve this responsibility towards the realization of the Freedom Charter objectives and other duly adopted policy positions. I shall serve the people of the province without motives of material advantage or personal gain.”
Ndlovu appears to have aced the interviews conducted by the national officials for the Mpumalanga Premier position. It is understood that Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and Cathy Dlamini were also the candidates that were interviewed.
The interviews were conducted from Monday, June 10, to Wednesday, June 12, at the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg. They were grilled with questions ranging from ethical and capable leadership and the party’s six priorities of its 2024 election manifesto. They were also asked about building a developmental state, building a capable local government, protection of the human rights and dignity of women, children, young people, older persons, and LGBTQIA+ persons and promoting social cohesion.
“The national officials were impressed by the candidates that they interviewed and commended provinces for the quality of their nominees,” ANC said in a statement. Ndlovu was elected Mpumalanga ANC chairperson at the party’s 13th elective conference held at Witbank Dam in Emalahleni on April 2, 2022.
He defeated former provincial secretary Lucky Ndinisa by 440 votes out of 718, taking over from David Mabuza, who left the province in 2017 when he was elected as Ramaphosa’s deputy.
Immediately after the election, he assured Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane that she would continue until the end of her term. Ndlovu became MEC for Public Works, Roads, and Transport in October 2022 after serving as the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs since May 2022 after he was sworn in as a member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature in May 2022.
