Former MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi was sworn in as Gauteng’s new premier on Thursday, 6 October 2022, following a special sitting of the provincial Legislature.
Lesufi was chosen as the African National Congress’s (ANC) preferred candidate to take the top job after the resignation of David Makhura after eight years at the helm.
Lesufi was sworn in after beating the Democratic Alliance’s candidate Solly Msimang in a secret ballot presided over by Gauteng deputy judge president Aubrey Ledwaba.
Of the total 60 votes cast, Lesufi received 38, while Msimang received 22 votes.
After the announcement, the house then broke into song. Chanting: Panyaza re ho rata kaofela, re tsamaya le wena! [Panyaza, we love you, we are going with you].
“I, Andrek, Panyaza Lesufi, swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and will obey, respect and uphold the Constitution and all other laws of the Republic, and I undertake to hold my office as Premier of the province of Gauteng with honour and dignity,” vowed Lesufi when taking his oath.
Addressing MPLs shortly after his election, Lesufi pledged to work with all political parties represented in the provincial Legislature.
As the 7th premier of Gauteng, Lesufi has promised to deliver services in the people’s best interest and serve with integrity, humility and dignity as outlined in the Constitution.
“Our citizens are confronted with many challenges, but we must remain firm to defend, shield and most importantly serve them,” he said, adding that the Growing Gauteng Together 2030 action plan will remain the blueprint for guiding the work of the provincial government.
“As long as our townships are the way they are, our freedom has not arrived. As long as we still have informal settlements, we have not accomplished our task. As long as we still have dirty and smelly hostels, we have not achieved our goals.
“As long as our people in rural areas struggle to get clean water, our mission for a better, free south Africa must continue. When young people remain unemployed, we should double our efforts for the true economic growth of our province,” he said in his acceptance speech.
Lesufi also paid tribute to the outgoing premier Makhura, saying he led from the front.
“We thank you for your ethical leadership. You showed a high work ethic and dedicated yourself to the improvement of the lives of our people. Our province will remain indebted to you,” said Lesufi.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the national general council of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence in Lesufi, saying he is the perfect candidate to lead the country’s economic hub.
“We welcome the new premier. I think he is up to the job, and he is going to be well supported by the members of the Provincial Executive Committee,” said Ramaphosa.
