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Thami Ntuli and his cabinet that he announced shortly after he was sworn into the office of the KZN Premier.
(The Post News)- On Tuesday, June 18, Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP) Thami Ntuli, the incoming premier of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), took the oath of office at the Woodburn Rugby Stadium in Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KZN.
Ntuli was elected on Friday in the first sitting of the national assembly to lead the KZN provincial government in the seventh administration by a coalition that consists of the IFP, African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), and National Freedom Party (NFP).
He is the tenth premier of KZN and is replacing Nomusa Dube-Ncube. Previously, Ntuli was the mayor of Nkandla, King Cetshwayo district municipality.
Following his nomination, Ntuli declared that he was prepared to advance the province of KZN and reiterated this in his inauguration speech, pledging to develop KZN.
During his inaugural speech, Ntuli also paid tribute to the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the founder of the IFP, dedicating both the IFP’s election campaign and current leadership to him.
Moreover, Ntuli highlighted an innovative beginning defined by unity, solidarity, and a strong dedication to serving the people of KZN. According to him, the day of his inauguration will go down in history as significant, proving that the people of KZN can decide its future.
Ntuli claimed that nearly all the parties that campaigned in this year’s elections had one goal in mind: to independently rule the nation and KZN. However, that was not the case, as parties were compelled to form coalitions due to the way the people of South Africa voted.
He said that the coalitions that have been formed mark the beginning of an era of power-sharing between various parties in the KZN province.
While delivering his inaugural speech, Ntuli announced his cabinet as the recently appointed premier. He also praised the leadership of women and stressed the importance of appointing them to key positions.
Members from the IFP, DA, ANC, and NFP in Ntuli’s cabinet welcome an integrated government paradigm, symbolizing the biggest shift in provincial politics.
The cabinet is as follows:
Heading with four portfolios is the IFP, with Musa Zondi as MEC of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs; Thulasizwe Buthelezi as MEC of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta); Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa as MEC of Agriculture and Rural Development; and Mntomuhle Khawula as MEC of Sports, Arts, and Culture.
The ANC comes in second with three portfolios: health with Nomagugu Simelane as the MEC, transport and human settlement with Siboniso Duma as the MEC, and education with Siphosihle Hlomuka as the MEC.
The DA, on the other hand, has two portfolios, with Francios Rodgers as MEC of Finance and Lukas Meyer as MEC of Public Works and Infrastructure, while the NFP only has one portion of social development, with Mbali Shinga as MEC.
The division of portfolios corresponds with the parties’ coalition agreement. With 18% of the votes, the IFP holds the highest number of MECs.
The ANC had 16% of the votes and was awarded three MCEs, while the DA was awarded two MECs with 14% of the votes, and the NFP was only awarded one MEC.
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