By Lebogang Seale and Moshoeshoe Monare
Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa has appointed two confident men, brimming with enthusiasm, to his cabinet as Members of the Executive Committee (MECs).
Brian Hlongwa takes over from newly appointed Tshwane mayor Gwen Ramokgopa as the province's health MEC, while Kgaogelo Lekgoro replaces Bob Mabaso as the MEC of social development.
Mabaso resigned earlier this year over a sexual harassment scandal.
Speaking to The Star shortly after Shilowa announced their appointments to the media on Thursday, the two MECs were upbeat about their new roles.
"It's still too early to tell because I still have to be briefed about the strategies, but I'm confident about my abilities.
"I believe I'm equal to the task and challenges," said Hlongwa.
Even more confident was the new social development MEC, Lekgoro, formerly the chairperson of the portfolio committee on communications.
"As someone who comes from a background of social development, I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead," said Lekgoro, who was ironically also punted as Tshwane mayor.
"My job is to seek ways of delivering, especially Bana-Pele, which seeks to address the needs of children," Lekgoro said.
Shilowa said he had no doubt that his new appointees would be equal to the task.
"Both have a long history of involvement in the democratic movement as well as in driving governance and social development issues.
"Hlongwa brings years of experience at local government level while Lekgoro brings a national perspective, having served in parliament since 1994," Shilowa said.
"Both Hlongwa and Lekgoro are well equipped to build on the good work done so far and further accelerate delivery within their respective portfolios.
"I have no doubt that their skills and experience will enhance Gauteng's capacity to address the challenges of underdevelopment, poverty and unemployment in our province," the premier said.
Shilowa added that proper consideration was done before deploying the two MECs, who, he said, were well positioned to implement commitments made in 2004 of halving unemployment and poverty by 2014.
Hlongwa headed Johannesburg's corporatisation unit from 1998 to 2000 and was executive officer for local economic development from 1996 to 1998.
His struggle credentials include serving as organiser of the Soweto Civic Association and the Soweto Youth Congress, and he was active in the student and youth movement.
He is currently a member of the African National Congress's (ANC) Gauteng provincial executive committee.
Lekgoro - a community activist since the late 1970s - helped to establish trade unions and civic and youth organisations, as well as a community newspaper in Tshwane.
He is also a member of the provincial executive committee of the ANC in Gauteng.