Premier of Gauteng
The Premier of Gauteng is the head of government of the Gauteng province of South Africa. The current Premier of Gauteng is David Makhura, a member of the African National Congress, who was elected in the 2014 election. He took office on 21 May 2014.[1][2][3]
Premier of Gauteng | |
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Style | The Honourable |
Appointer | Gauteng Provincial Legislature |
Term length | Five years, renewable once |
Inaugural holder | Tokyo Sexwale |
Formation | 7 May 1994 |
Website | Official website |
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Gauteng |
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Functions
In terms of the constitution, the executive authority of a province is vested in the Premier. The Premier appoints an Executive Council made up of ten members of the provincial legislature; they are known as Members of the Executive Council (MECs). The MECs are effectively ministers and the Executive Council a cabinet at the provincial level. The Premier has the warrant to appoint and dismiss MECs at his/her own discretion.
The Premier and the Executive Council are responsible for implementing provincial legislation, along with any national legislation assigned to the province. They set provincial policy and manage the departments of the provincial government; their actions are subject to the national constitution.
In order for an act of the provincial legislature to become law, the Premier must sign it. If he/she believes that the act is unconstitutional, it can be referred back to the legislature for reconsideration. If the Premier and the legislature cannot agree, the act must be referred to the Constitutional Court for a final decision.
The Premier is also ex officio a member of the National Council of Provinces, the upper house of Parliament, as one of the special delegates from the province.[4]
List
Name | Elected | Left office | Party |
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Tokyo Sexwale | 7 May 1994 | 19 January 1998 | African National Congress |
Mathole Motshekga | 19 January 1998 | 15 June 1999 | African National Congress |
Mbhazima Shilowa | 15 June 1999 | 29 September 2008 | African National Congress |
Paul Mashatile | 7 October 2008 | 6 May 2009 | African National Congress |
Nomvula Mokonyane | 6 May 2009 | 21 May 2014 | African National Congress |
David Makhura | 21 May 2014 | Incumbent | African National Congress |
Election
The election for the Gauteng Provincial Legislature is held every five years, simultaneously with the election of the National Assembly; the last such election occurred on 8 May 2019. At the first meeting of the provincial legislature after an election, the members choose the Premier from amongst themselves. The provincial legislature can force the Premier to resign by a motion of no confidence. If the Premiership becomes vacant (for whatever reason) the provincial legislature must choose a new Premier to serve out the period until the next election. One person cannot have served more than two five-year terms as Premier; however, when a Premier is chosen to fill a vacancy the time until the next election does not count as a term.
References
- David Makhura is Gauteng's new premier. Retrieved on 25 June 2019.
- David Makhura takes over as new Gauteng Premier. Retrieved on 25 June 2019.
- David Makhura officially elected as Gauteng premier. Retrieved on 25 June 2019.
- Constitution of South Africa