African National Congress (ANC) Free State provincial chair, Mxolisi Dukwana, has been elected the province’s new premier.
Free State premier
Dukwana, who recently served as the Free State’s Economic Development MEC, was elected on Friday morning during a special setting of the provincial legislature in Bloemfontein.
Dukwana received 17 votes to be elected premier defeating the Democratic Alliance‘s (DA) Provincial leader Roy Jankielsohn.
Jankielsohn received seven votes from Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) out of the 30 votes cast. Six MPLs abstained from the voting process.
Dukwana sworn in
Addressing MPLs shortly after he was sworn in, Dukwana thanked all those who elected him into office and promised to deal with the province’s governance challenges, such as fast-tracking service delivery to communities.
The newly elected premier also promised to tackle crime and corruption.
“What I do not take for granted is that this day belongs to the people of our province. It is the day of hope and restoration. It is a day to reclaim our glory and our pride,” said Dukwana.
Dukwana’s accession to the top of the Free State provincial government followed the ANC’s decision to recall Sisi Ntombela as premier.
Ntombela resigned from the position this week.
Last month, Ntombela lost the contest for the position of ANC provincial chairperson to Dukwana at the 9th Free State provincial conference.
In other news – Tipcee speaks on rumours she’s broke after allegedly dumping DJ Tira
South African singer Tipcee has responded to rumours of being down and out telling a local publication that the rumours are false. Following a report from ZiMoja, Tipcee started trending with sources alleging that she is broke after leaving Tira’s Afrotainment. The dancer said they are nothing but false rumours and that she is still signed to Tira’s label.
Speaking to the online publication, Tipcee said, “No it’s not true, and I’m dropping a single soon, and then an EP. The rumours have been trending since yesterday. There was this one friend of mine who was stirring up trouble.” Learn More