Gauteng housing MEC Nomvula Mokonyane is the new premier of Gauteng, the ANC said on Thursday.
After the province had publicly endorsed current premier Paul Mashatile, the ANC's leadership opted for Mokonyane to steer the country's economic powerhouse.
The party's secretary-general Gwede Mantashe made the announcement at a press briefing following an NEC meeting in Esselen Park in Kempton Park earlier on Thursday.
ANC deputy provincial secretary Mandla Nkomfe had been the other candidate for the job.
Also attending the NEC meeting were party president Jacob Zuma, national chairwoman Baleka Mbete, Mantashe's deputy Thandi Modise and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. - Sapa