Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu has adhered what to ANC’s National Executive Committee’s directive to readjust his cabinet to allow for a 60/40 gender representation.

Ndlovu has announced that the former mayor of Emalahleni Leah Mabuza, has replaced Fidel Mlombo as MEC for culture, sport and recreation as from September 4.

Mlombo had been serving in this portfolio since June, shortly after the national general elections of May 29. According to the premier, he voluntarily resigned.

Mabuza, a National Executive Committee Member of SANCO and Regional Executive Committee Member of the ANC in Nkangala, comes into this position with extensive experience having previously served as the mayor of both a district and local municipality.

Premier Ndlovu further said the removal of Mlombo to his position  it had nothing to do with performance, but merely to comply with the ANC’s top structure to have the gender balance in the cabinet.

According to the ANC’s guidelines, where the premier of province is a man, women must account for or have 60% representation in the executive committee, meaning that this province must have a minimum of six women MECs and a maximum of four men MECs.

“We would like to thank our alliance partners, especially Cosatu for allowing their member to resign from his position as MEC so we can have a female representative in that portfolio. It has not been an easy step to take, but it had to be done and we are happy that our alliance partners made the process much easier for all of us,” explained Ndlovu.