Thuma Mina time for Eastern Cape’s new cabinet
Oscar Mabuyane, sworn in as the sixth Eastern Cape premier last week, delivered his maiden speech as the province’s first citizen and kept to the script adopted by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2018.
That message from the new president sought to have the country buy into his “new dawn”. But Mabuyane had to traipse over some tricky ground when he had to defend himself over a R450,000 loan from a comrade who allegedly received the money from a dodgy tender.
This revelation surfaced at a time when the ANC wanted to name its Eastern Cape cabinet.
Mabuyane had to act quickly as it was clear his political career was at stake. Questioned about the impending scandal he literally took the bull by the horns and stated he had now taken a bank loan and repaid the money.
This paid dividends; what appeared as a dark cloud dissipated and he was free to name his 10-member cabinet on Tuesday.
The focus has now switched to the personalities who will run the province – six of the 10 are new brooms. Mabuyane urged them to reference the Thuma Mina theme in going about their duties. That is, to put the people’s interests, rather than their own, first.
The team includes experienced politicians such as Sindiswa Gomba, who has been a senior councillor at BCM since the late 90s; the likes of former mayor Nomakhosazana Meth as well as seasoned unionist Fundile Gade, a former provincial chair of Sadtu, the biggest trade union in Cosatu.
There are also fairly young women activists such as former ANC youth league activist Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi and Fezeka Nkomonye, an administrator turned youth leader.
Mabuyane did catch some flak on social media for including Mani-Lusithi and Nkomonye, who are both under the age of 36.
Why age should be a criterion that bothers some is perplexing, when other parties like the Democratic Alliance have been fielding activists a decade younger than these MECs.
Mabuyane and his team now have to hit the ground running in delivering on the promise of providing decent jobs to the people of this province. It is still early days for them to tackle the issues. So perhaps they should be given time.
Mabuyane and his team now have to hit the ground running in delivering on the promise of decent jobs