Mafikeng - Outgoing MEC for Finance, Maureen Modiselle, has being officially elected as the premier of the North West province.
Ms Modiselle was elected unopposed at the first sitting of the North West Provincial Legislature on Wednesday morning.
Speaking after being elected as the premier, Ms Modiselle said her first priority was to make sure that the people of the province were strongly united.
"We have serious challenges which need all of us to be united as the people of the province. We must hold hands and make sure that we develop our province with commitment and strong determination.
"Our people voted for this government because they need their lives to be changed for the better and with us committed and working together we will make it happen," she said.
Ms Modiselle, has served as Finance MEC since 2005, and is taking over from Edna Molewa, who has served the province as premier since April 2004.
Prior to her appointment as MEC for Finance, Ms Modiselle headed several portfolios over the past decade, including MEC for Department of Safety and Liaison from 1999 to 2001, MEC for Economic Development and Tourism from 2001 to 2004 and again MEC for Safety and Liaison in 2004.
She is also a Member of the Exco Governance and Administration Committee, Exco Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee and Exco Social Development Committee in the North West Provincial Government.
The premier further indicated that rural development and education were at the top of her list of priorities.
"We have committed that the lives of our people on the ground must improve. We have promised people in rural areas will get proper roads, water, houses and other basic needs.
"We will indeed ensure that our people do get what they have voted for during this past election," she said.
The premier was elected together with other new members of the provincial legislature.
Nono Maloi was elected as the Speaker of the North West Legislature with Veronica Kekesi as the Deputy Speaker.
