The newly elected Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, has strengthened his cabinet by appointing Reverend Musa Zondi, a former deputy minister of public works who served under then-president Thabo Mbeki.
Zondi was a member of the national cabinet from 1999 to 2004. The late IFP founder, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, advised him to resign after the ANC demanded the premiership of KZN in exchange for appointing Buthelezi deputy president of the country – an appointment that never happened.
Zondi will serve as MEC for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs.
The announcement was made on Tuesday at the inauguration of KZN Premier Thami Ntuli at Woodburn Rugby Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.
The KZN cabinet, which includes the IFP, DA, ANC, and NFP, showed a united front during last week’s first sitting as they officially entered the Government of National Unity.
Ntuli also announced the appointment of DA leaders in his cabinet, marking the first time since 1994 that the party has held a cabinet post in KZN.
DA KZN leader Francois Rodgers was appointed MEC for finance, and DA provincial chairperson Martin Meyer was appointed MEC for public works.
ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma was announced as the MEC for transport and human settlements, while the ANC’s Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi was returned to her position in the health department.
The ANC’s Sipho Hlomuka, the former transport MEC, was moved to the education department. The NFP’s Mbali Shinga was appointed MEC for social development.
Former IFP Women’s Brigade chairperson Thembeni KaMadlopha Mthethwa was appointed MEC for agriculture.
The traditional prime minister of the Zulu monarch, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, was appointed MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs.
His appointment has been described as a strategic move to bring order between the KZN government and the Zulu royal family.
“The Department of Community Safety will be moved from the Department of Transport to the Office of the Premier,” said Ntuli, adding that tackling rampant crime in the province was a priority.
The IFP’s Mntomuhle Khawula, a former mayor of uMzumbe local municipality on the KZN South Coast, is the MEC for sports, arts, and culture.
Pictured above: KZN Premier Thami Ntuli and his newly appointed cabinet.
Source: X
