Umamah Bakharia | ub@radioislam.co.za

3min read
6 October 2022 | 15:30 am CAT

Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, has been elected as the new Gauteng premier.

This follows, David Makhura’s resignation as premier earlier this week which he cited as making way for new leadership in the province.

Lesufi was elected and sworn in at a special sitting at the provincial legislature on Thursday afternoon after defeating the Democratic Alliance (DA) Solly Msimanga.

The results were announced by Judge Aubrey Ledwaba, who presided over the sitting.

Addressing the media, Lesufi expressed gratitude and said he is ready to get to work.

“I accept this new task with humility, with an open mind and open hand. This is not something to celebrate, but it serves as a reminder that we need to do work, we need to serve our people, we need to protect our people but most importantly, we need to ensure that this particular province can be a province of opportunity and can be a province that attracts talent.”