The country’s richest province, Gauteng, is set for new leadership following the resignation of Premier David Makhura on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
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Makhura announced that he will step down from the position after serving the provincial government for the past eight years and is expected to have his last day in office on Thursday.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI have handed a letter to the Speaker, Honourable Ntombi Mekgwe, to tender my resignation from the position of the Premier of Gauteng and a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, effective from [Thursday].<\/p>\n
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\u201cI would like to thank faith-based organisations, organised business, civil society, sports bodies and the people of our province for the unwavering support they gave to the Gauteng government during my tenure.<\/p>\n
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“Collectively, we had challenges but counted many successes. I have no doubt of your continued support to the incoming leadership collective of our province,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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Makhura expressed his honour at serving as Premier and assured citizens that foundations for a smooth transition have been laid with the governing ANC, which is now expected to nominate a new Premier.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI was honoured to have been elected the sixth premier of this beautiful province in May 2014 and re-elected in May 2019. I have served the people of Gauteng with humility and utmost dedication and integrity through the eight years of my tenure.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI have always contemplated how best to ensure a smooth and seamless transition from the collective I lead in the [ANC provincial executive committee] and in government in order to achieve maximum unity, continuity and change.<\/p>\n
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\u201cConsequently, I have held several engagements with the leadership of the ANC on the timing and the details of the handover in order to ensure a smooth transition in the interests of our province and its people. The ANC has been seized with this matter over the past few weeks and has now completed its internal processes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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Addressing media on the sidelines of the national general council of the South African Democratic Teachers\u2019 Union on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa gave his well wishes to the outgoing Premier.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt is a smooth transition. The Premier had gone public himself and said that he would be leaving. It has all been well executed and we wish the new Premier well, and we wish Makhura well too as he goes forward,\u201d President Ramaphosa said.<\/p>\n
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Source: South African Government News Agency<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"