Bloemfontein – Northern Cape acting Premier Sylvia Lucas was officially elected and sworn in as new premier, said a legislature official on Thursday.

“She will deliver her inaugural speech on 30 May 2013,” said Mpho Marina, spokesperson in the Speaker’s office.

Former premier Hazel Jenkins resigned as a member of the provincial legislature and Northern Cape premier this week.

Jenkins collapsed while delivering her State-of-the-Province address last year after suffering a brain aneurysm.

Two African National Congress members in the Northern Cape legislature had served as acting premiers while Jenkins was recuperating.

Lucas acted as premier since the beginning of May this year.

– SAPA