Oscar Mabuyane is now the first citizen of the Eastern Cape. He is the ANC chairperson in the province and is credited with having assisted the party retain control of the provincial legislature with an overwhelming majority of 68.74% during the national elections.
Mabuyane, a former ANC Eastern Cape secretary, is largely seen as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ally. He was elected as the governing party’s Eastern Cape chairperson in 2017 in an elective conference dubbed, the festival of chairs. He has had a stint as the Eastern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
The ANC in the Eastern Cape has welcomed Mabuyane’s appointment as the premier, saying it believes the move will strengthen political stability and usher in a renewed vigour to make a better life for all in the province a reality.
Mabuyane has promised to hit the ground running, saying the new provincial government will tackle thorny issues, like service delivery concerns raised by some communities, like the residents of Ntlangano in Ntabankulu. They boycotted the May 8 vote, demanding improved service delivery.
Mabuyane was born in Deberha, in the Ngcobo Local Municipality, in 1974.
Watch Mabuyane’s interview with Morning Live’s Lee-Anne Manas on last year’s World Tourism Day, which is annually celebrated on September 27.
The festival of chairs in which Mabuyane was elected ANC Eastern Cape chairperson was one of the trending stories on social media. President Ramaphosa and backers of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma had a go at each over alleged irregularities. Mabuyane promised to rid the province of factions.
Watch his address soon after his election.
