Abraham-Ntantiso awaits deployment

FORMER sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC Noxolo Abraham-Ntantiso, who recently resigned as an ANC MPL, has hinted that she may be “deployed” as an ambassador.

Abraham-Ntantiso and Nomvuzo Mlombile-Cingo resigned last week, paving the way for ANC provincial chairman Oscar Mabuyane and his deputy Mlungisi Mvoko to be sworn in as MPLs yesterday.

Mlombile-Cingo has been redeployed as mayor of Port St Johns.

Abraham-Ntantiso yesterday said the ANC has asked her “to assist” in another place.

“The discussion is that I assist in a foreign nation due to the experience that I have. But I will have to wait for the ANC to inform me where I will go,” she said.

She said serving the people of the Eastern Cape had been both beautiful and humbling.

“I was a teacher in Tarkastad when I was called to serve in the legislature in 2000. As a collective of women, we started the women’s caucus as gender machinery and to also look at issues of disabled people,” she said.

Abraham-Ntantiso was deployed in 2005 as sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC. She said one of her best experiences was when she went overseas with a traditional dance group.

“I got to know a lot of people and I hope I made some contribution.

“I would like to thank the ANC for deploying me. It could have been anyone, but the ANC chose me.”

Abraham-Ntantiso served on the portfolio committees of education, finance and public works. She also served on the standing committee on public accounts, in the women’s caucus, as a deputy chairwoman of committees and as safety and liaison portfolio committee chairwoman.

She was also part of the rules and legislature and oversight portfolio committees.

Legislature chief whip Mzoleli Mrara said: “It is our view that our comrades’ immense contribution towards the work of the ANC caucus and that of the legislature will forever be cherished, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”