An almost brand-new line-up of premiers could soon be taking office as President Thabo Mbeki prepares for a term of relentless delivery.
Three premiers, who have served their constitutional two terms, must be replaced but insiders predict a few surprises in other provinces.
Mbeki has emphasised that local government, as the direct line of delivery, faces a major revamp.
The overhaul is intended to fight not only corruption, but ensure the ANC's election promises, such as a halving unemployment and poverty in ten years, are met.
Mbeki has the prerogative to appoint premiers despite the popularity of candidates on the ground. It seems that the only ANC premiers who could sit secure are Gauteng's Mbhazima Shilowa and the Free State's Winkie Direko.
Local government in the Free State is in disarray, which may prompt the president to appoint a stronger provincial manager.
In the North West, controversial MEC Darkie Africa seems to be the front-runner for premier, but speculation has it that Mbeki favours Thandi Modise, a Women's League stalwart and chair of parliament's defence committee. Another option was Naledi Pandor, chair of the National House of Provinces, but it is now more likely that she would get a cabinet post.
In the Northern Cape, the contest lies between National Executive Committee member Dipuo Peters and top performer, Tina Joemat-Petersson, the education MEC. But Mbeki may appoint Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, the minister of public service and administration. Although not from the Northern Cape, she was deployed there by the ANC and has proved a hit with the people.
Prominent SA Communist Party member, Sello Moloto, tops the Limpopo list and is favoured as Ramathlodi's successor.
It is speculated that Mbeki may want a stronger premier for the poverty-ridden province and is considering appointing a confidant, Sydney Mufamadi. He has apparently been groomed as a future foreign minister.
In corruption-stricken Mpumalanga, it is virtually certain that Mbeki will replace Ndaweni Mahlangu, implicated in a number of scandals. Rising star, Thabang Makwetla, is expected to get the job.
In the Western Cape, after the NNP's dismal performance, it is almost certain that Marthinus van Schalkwyk's premiership will not be renewed. With the largest number of the votes for the second time round, although short of an overall majority, the ANC is ready to install its own candidate, but it has always been in doubt whether the president would favour provincial leader Ebrahim Rasool.
Yet the other candidate, provincial secretary-general Mcebisi Skwatsha, is not a favourite with the top leadership.
Eastern Cape premier Makhenkesi Stofile has fallen into Mbeki's bad books and could get the chop. But he was convincingly re-elected as provincial leader after an effort to oust him in 2002/3 and has since clamped down considerably on corruption.
A host of candidates have, however, been suggested to replace him, including former provincial MEC and ANC national spokesperson, Smuts Ngonyama, deputy home affairs minister and Women's League president, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and deputy finance minister, Mandisi Mphahlwa as well as senior MP Mluleki George. Should the Inkatha Freedom Party return to power in KwaZulu-Natal with the help of its DA "coalition for change" partner, Lionel Mtshali could be re-instated.
But should the IFP stick to its decision to exit as the ANC's national governance partner, its leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi may opt to take over the premiership. If the ANC manages to form a government, its provincial chair and transport MEC S'bu Ndebele is apparently likely to become premier. Others however said a number of factors counted against him, such as an unsavoury spat with health MEC, Zweli Mkize.
A strong body of opinion still favours deputy president Jacob Zuma as premier of the province, but others may consider it a demotion.
Another candidate mentioned in the province is land and agriculture minister, Thoko Didiza, who hails from KwaZulu-Natal and has recently won kudos from the traditional leadership lobby with the controversial communal land rights bill, which entrenches their powers.