Premier Mahumapelo warns new MECs against bling and extravagance

27 May 2014

North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has in committing to an effective, efficient, transparent and clean administration that works seamlessly warned newly sworn in members of the Provincial Executive Council (Exco) against bling and extravagance.

"No celebrations are to be held and luxury vehicles purchased by members of Exco. Our responsibility as public servants is not to work for ourselves but to serve the masses of our people who should be at the centre of development," Premier Mahumapelo gave the line of march in pledging a 21 days turnaround to complaints raised by citizens, 30 days payment to service providers and quarterly performance report back to communities.

The Premier and his new Members of Executive Council took an oath of office in a ceremony conducted by Judge President of the North West High Court, Honourable Madam Justice Monica Leeuw on Tuesday. Mahumapelo announced his reconfigured Executive Council dominated by women. Six of the 10 members of Exco are women while four are men.

Some of the new appointees to Exco include Wendy Nelson who was sworn in as the MEC for Treasury and Enterprise Development, Madoda Sambatha as the MEC for Public Works and Roads, Former Mayor of Kagisano- Molopo Local Municipality, Ontlametse Mochwari as the MEC for Social Development and Gaoage Saliva Molapisi as the new MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management.

Dr Magome Masike will remain MEC for Health while Manketse Tlhape becomes the new MEC for Rural, Environmental and Agricultural Development.

Tebogo Modise is now the MEC for Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs while Desbo Mohono was appointed the new MEC for Tourism.

Wendy Matsemela who was MEC for Education is retained as MEC of the reconfigured Department for Education and Sports Development while Collen Maine who was MEC for Social Development has been appointed the new MEC for Local Government and Human Settlement.

Premier Mahumapelo said the new Exco collective should be accessible and focus its energy on accelerating service delivery in order to address the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment, adding that he will be consulting with experts, academics, churches, businesses and traditional leaders to map out ways to create jobs.

Mahumapelo announced a province wide citizen satisfaction survey that is to inform his inaugural State of the Province Address to be delivered on the 27th of next month.

He pledged to stamp out corruption and warned that his administration will not embrace mediocrity.

Statement issued by Lesiba Moses Kgwele, spokesperson for the North West Office of the Premier, May 28 2014

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