Cape Town — Rise Mzansi leader, Songezo Zibi, is thankful to Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, after the party’s national chairperson, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, was given a seat on the provincial council.
Ramokgopa was appointed as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Rural Development and Agriculture and, reacting to her appointment, Zibi thanked Lesufi and said that Rise MZansi’s public representatives will be accessible and accountable, IOL reported.
“RISE Mzansi would like to thank Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and the people of the province for this opportunity to serve as part of the provincial government of unity. RISE Mzansi’s public representatives at both national and provincial spheres of government will be, among other things, accessible, accountable, and busy, and serve all communities not just those who voted for us,” Zibi said.
The party also wished Ramokgopa well on her new position and said it was a significant moment, not only for the party but for the people of Gauteng as well.
The working of building a safe, prosperous, equal, and united Gauteng and South Africa has been given a boost.
Full statement below pic.twitter.com/mCnwsjiU9f
— Songezo Zibi (@SongezoZibi) July 3, 2024
“RISE Mzansi is both humbled and proud that national chairperson, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa MPL, has been appointed as a Gauteng Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Rural Development and Agriculture,” Zibi said.
“This is a significant moment for the 16-million people of Gauteng who now have a new leader who will work in the executive arm of the province to advance the fight to ending hunger, ensuring access to sufficient food, and reforming food systems among other important issues, as we committed to do during our work in and with communities over the last 18-months,” Zibi added.
Ramokgopa is joined by the Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP) Bonginkosi Ndlovu, and the Patriotic Alliance’s (PA) Sheila Mary Peters, along with the African National Congress (ANC) seven members to establish Gauteng’s government of provincial unity.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Ramokgopa said she was ready to start her term in office and outlined her plans for the department.
“We hope that we deal decisively with hunger, particularly in the province of Gauteng. We know that 1 in 4 residents of Gauteng and residents of our country suffer from food insecurity. We also know that 1 in 3 children under the age of 5 suffer from stunting and that’s why hunger has been top of our agenda.
“So this is an exciting opportunity for us to get stuck into the work of dealing with food insecurity issues and boosting the agricultural economy through agro-processing and supporting small-scale farming,” she said.
Rise Mzansi’s Vuyiswa Ramokgopa says she’s ready to hit the ground running after being included in the Gauteng provincial government. Ramokgopa has been charged with the agriculture and rural development portfolio. She outlines her plans for the department.
Watch:… pic.twitter.com/rYT93oaxgm
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 4, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
