Riot Hlatshwayo

Riot Hlatshwayo

ANC's Mpumalanga chairman David Mabuza was sworn in as premier of the province during the first sitting of the fourth legislature yesterday.

South and North Gauteng Deputy Judge President Phineas Mojapelo presided over the ceremony.

This was shortly after Mabuza was nominated as premier-elect.

In his acceptance speech Mabuzapromised to make sure that the lives of the people in the province were changed for the better.

At the same ceremony, Jackson Mthembu was appointed Speaker of the Legislature with Violet Siwela as his deputy.

Thirty members of the Legislature were also sworn in and these include one from Cope, two from the DA and 27 from the ANC.

The ceremony also saw the nomination of individuals who will be members of the NCOP after their swearing in in Cape Town today.

Mthembu was immediately given the opportunity to do his job as a Speaker.

Cope provincial leader Sizile Ndlovu congratulated Mabuza for his achievements but reminded him of the poverty-stricken communities.

"Just 40km from where we are now, people do not have water, houses or even electricity," said Ndlovu.

After the ceremony, members of different political organisations congratulated each other before enjoying lunch.