MBOMBELA – There are a few changes in the provincial cabinet following the premier, Mandla Ndlovu’s announcement on Tuesday.
During a briefing, Ndlovu said after making several assessments in departments, certain changes needed to be made.
“These changes are aimed at strengthening the work of government to address service delivery and a number of challenges faced by the province,” Ndlovu told the media.
He announced that Lindi Masina, former Speaker in the provincial legislature, is the new MEC for Education. Former Ehlanzeni District Municipality executive mayor, Jester Sidell, was also appointed as MEC for the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
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Masina replaces Cathy Dlamini, while Sidell replaces Makhosazane Masilela. Masilela, in turn, will revert to being the Speaker of the Provincial Legislature. Khethiwe Moeketsi and Nompumelelo Hlophe swap departments as Hlophe joins Social Development and Moeketsi takes over Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs.
All four MECs were given immediate tasks in their respective departments. Masina’s tasks include achieving a 90% pass rate target for 2025, promote participation and performance of learners in Maths and Science.
This also included implementation of the eLearning strategy by providing technological aids such as tablets, starting from Grade 10 from the 2026 academic year.
Sidell is expected to focus on the Mining Indaba and Investment Summit, finalising the feasibility studies of the Mariepskop
Mountain Cable Car and the Hazyview Water Wave and operationalisation of the Nkomazi SEZ, among other tasks.
