ANC STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF NEW PREMIER

26 September 2013

The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal welcomes the appointment of Comrade Senzo Mchunu as the new premier of the province, a development which we have no doubt will strengthen political stability and usher in a renewed vigour in terms of bringing about a better life to all the people of the province.

Not only is Comrade Mchunu the right candidate for this leadership position, but he also possesses the vision to steer the province to greater heights and improved service delivery - a path that had been ably blazed by his predecessor, Comrade Zweli Mkhize.

The appointment of the new Premier shows the ANC's commitment to ensuring that there is smooth transition in the province. This testifies to the ANC's ability to lead and ensure that there is stability in the province. Critically, Comrade Mchunu will operate as part of a collective of men and women who are tried and tested in championing the cause of our people.

The ANC has no doubt that under Comrade Mchunu's leadership the provincial government of KwaZulu-Natal will continue to be a model of service delivery excellence.

Comrade Mchunu brings a wealth of experience which became evident in the manner he led the Department of Education which is now one of the best performing departments in the country as evidenced by the improvements in the matric pass rate.

The ANC would like to assure the people of KwaZulu-Natal that the transition will be a seamless one and that there will be policy continuity. The ANC calls on all the social partners, including business, labour, civil society and other community-based organisations to lend this new leadership, ably led by comrade Mchunu the same level of support that has become the hallmark of the relationship that the ANC government enjoys with all sectors of our society.

We have no doubt that, working together; we can fast-track our efforts in dealing with the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality in the province. Our province today is a better place than it was in 2004.

Issued by the ANC KwaZulu-Natal, September 26 2013

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter