North West Premier announces MEC's

Friday, May 8, 2009

Mafikeng - Newly appointed Premier of the North West, Maureen Modiselle, has announced her provincial cabinet.

Out of the ten provincial departments, only two of the MEC's are from the previous council.

Johannes Tselapedi will remain as MEC for Education, while former MEC for Local Government and Housing, Howard Yawa is the new MEC for Public Safety. Mr Yawa has also served as the MEC for Public Works.

Ms Modiselle has also merged the Department of Health and the Department of Social Development, which is to be led by Rebecca Kasienyane.

The Department of Finance will be led by Louisa Mabe, a new face to the council and the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism will be Wendy Matsemela.

The Department of Public Works has merged with the Department of Transport to form the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, which will be led by Mohlakeng Mohlakeng, who is also new in the North West provincial government.

The Department of Housing will be led by Ms Desbo Sefanyetso, while Grace Pampiri will be the MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture. She is also new in the Provincial Government.

Boitumelo Tshwene will be MEC for Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Rural Development, and Gordon Kegakilwe was named MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs.

Premier Modiselle expressed confidence in her new executive council, saying the MEC's would be expected to do their best to make the North West province a better place.

"I am confident that this team of competent men and women is equal to the task of discharging our mandate to the people of our province in live with the priorities of the next five years.

"We will build on the solid foundation we have laid over the past fifteen years, informed by the imperatives of ensuring faster and more effective implementation of the priorities that we have set for ourselves," she said.

She said the council's five priorities include education, health, rural development, the fight against crime and corruption and the creation of decent work.