Panyaza Lesufi primed for Gauteng premier as David Makhura steps down

Gauteng’s more than 15 million residents will by the end of the week have a new premier following the departure of David Makhura, who has been at the helm of the province since 2014.

There has been no formal communication on who will succeed Makhura. The province is, however, expected to hold a special sitting on Thursday that will see a new premier sworn in. Newly elected Gauteng ANC chairperson Panyaza Lesufi is expected to take over.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-06-27-anc-in-gauteng-the-dawning-of-the-age-of-panyaza-lesufi-comes-with-problems-many-big-difficult-painful-problems/

Makhura indicated his intention to vacate his position on Tuesday, Daily Maverick understands, with the hope of being elevated to a ministerial position and membership of the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) ahead of the December elective conference.

Read more in Daily Maverick: “The man, his role & his future: David Makhura at the crossroads that may go all the way to the Top Six”

The NEC is comprised of 80 members and is the highest decision-making body between conferences. Nominations for the top six and NEC members will be completed at branch general meetings under the supervision of independent electoral officers.

Makhura has served the party in Gauteng for more than 22 years. On Tuesday, he handed his resignation letter to the Speaker of the legislature, Ntombi Mekgwe. His resignation as the Premier and as a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature is effective from Thursday, 6 October 2022. 

“I was honoured to have been elected the 6th 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,” a statement by Makhura said.

The move has long been in the pipeline as Makhura had indicated that he did not wish to be nominated or contest for any leadership position in Gauteng as early February this year, and again when the party held its 14th ANC provincial conference in June.

“I passed the baton to the newly elected leadership collective led by comrade Panyaza Lesufi. Having worked with many ANC leaders and activists in Gauteng to rebuild and position Gauteng as a significant player in the affairs of the movement and a country at large, I have always contemplated how best to ensure a smooth and seamless transition from the collective I lead in the PEC and in government in order to achieve maximum unity, continuity and change.

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“Consequently, I have held several engagements with the leadership of the ANC on the timing and details of the handover in order to ensure a smooth transition in the interest 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,” said Makhura.

Makhura first served as the coordinator of the interim leadership core in May 2000, was subsequently elected as the provincial secretary from 2001 to 2014, after which he was elected as deputy chairperson from 2014 to 2018. Lastly, he held the position of provincial chairperson from 2018 to 2022, while also serving as the premier. 

Makhura expressed his gratitude to faith-based organisations, organised business, civil society; sports bodies and the people of Gauteng for their unwavering support during his tenure. 

“Collectively we had challenges but counted many successes. I have no doubt of your continued support to the incoming leadership collective of our province,” he said.

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