Dr Zweli Mkhize was on Wednesday sworn in as the fifth KwaZulu-Natal premier since first democratic elections in 1994.
He was elected by the majority of KwaZulu-Natal's 80-member legislature in Pietermaritzburg. Mkhize, the ANC provincial chairperson, trounced the DA's John Steenhuisen, who also stood as a premier candidate.
Mkhize received 68 votes to Steenhuisen's seven. There were four spoilt votes and one member did not vote.
Mkhize received votes from other parties as the ANC only had 51 members in the legislature.
The Independent Electoral Commission monitored proceedings.
Mkhize, the former finance minister, now faced the task of choosing the new cabinet which was expected to be announced on Monday.
Previous premiers were Dr Frank Mdlalose, Dr Ben Ngubane and Dr Lionel Mtshali of the IFP. In 2004, the ANC attracted the most votes and formed a government with Sbu Ndebele as premier.
After finishing one term, Ndebele was sworn in as the MP in the national Parliament.
Earlier on Wednesday, visibly excited new members, mainly from the ANC, waiting outside the legislature building for the start of the ceremony.
By 11.30am, the speaker and the deputy speaker had not yet been elected.
The ANC had nominated its provincial treasurer and former health MEC Peggy Nkonyeni as candidate for speaker, and former agriculture MEC Mtholephi Mthimkhulu for deputy speaker. If elected he would take over from Professor Gabriel Ndabandaba, who had moved to national Parliament. - Sapa