By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- African National Congress National Executive Committee ended their two-day meeting that was held in Centurion, near Pretoria on Tuesday.

The NEC was tasked to discuss new names of premier candidates that were submitted by Provincial Executive Committees(PECs) of ANC-led provinces.

Eight names were announced on Tuesday and only one female candidate made the cut. Three changes were made in Gauteng, North West and Eastern Cape.

ANC spokesperson Jessie Yasmin Duarte said the ruling party elected people who will make sure they can be up to the task.

“We elected candidates who we believe will take ANC forward and we are very concern about Gauteng province where ANC did not do well” Duarte said.

The ousted premier Nomvula Mokonyane was never a potentate candidate after her fall-out with the masses especially residents of infamous Bekkersdal township where she told them that ANC does not need their dirty votes before elections.

Mokonyane since apologised but it seems mending her ways was too little too late.

ANC North West spokesperson Oupa Matla said they are so ecstatically happy by the new premier Supra Mahumapelo. “ANC North West welcomed the decision taken by NEC and we believe the clique we experienced in the province will come to an end.”

Matla said there was a faction within the province as other ANC members were in Modise’s camp while others supported Mahumapelo who was the speaker of the Legislature.

Supra Mahumapelo played it down two weeks ago during ANC Siyabonga Rally that was held in Taung coverground.

“I cannot say I want to become North West premier, but if called to the task I think I will heed the call. The decision will be solely taken by comrade Jacob Zuma” Mahumapelo said then.

ANC president Jacob Zuma said they will not elect persons who were not nominated by provincial executive committee, however Ntombi Mekgwe was included in the list of Gauteng province candidates and the decision was allegedly taken on Monday night.

The decision was overturned on Tuesday and Makhura was announced as Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane’s successor.

The newly-appointed premier Mahumapelo has a mammoth task to recuperate the province after unrest experienced.

He said the most task is to deal with unrest that permeated through the province.

Many people picketed across the province to show unhappiness due to poor service delivery.

Mothutlung, Marikana, Bloemhof and other hotspots areas will be given first preference.

The ANC is expected to recompenses the outgoing premier Thandi Modise by deploying her within the ANC structure.

The ANC North West appointed a new speaker Sussana Tsebe.-TDN
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The OFFICIAL List of Premiers:

Gauteng: David Makhura (new appointment)
Mpumalanga: David Mabuza (retained)
Limpopo: Stan Mathabatha (retained)
Free State: Ace Magashule (retained)
Eastern Cape: Phumulo Masualle (new appointment)
Northern Cape: Sylvia Lucas (retained)
KwaZulu-Natal: Senzo Mchunu (retained)
North West: Supra Mahumapelo (new appointment)
-TDN
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