Mixed reactions as Lesufi take the reins as the Gauteng premier

Residents of Johannesburg have reacted with mixed feelings following the appointment of Panyaza Lesufi as the Gauteng premier. Premier Lesufi takes over from David Makhura, who was at the helm of South Africa’s economic hub for 8 years.

Makhura has served the party in Gauteng for more than 22 years. On Tuesday, he handed his resignation letter to the Speaker of the legislature, Ntombi Mekgwe. 

His resignation as the Premier and as a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature is effective from Thursday, 6 October 2022. while some residents eagerly await his tenure as the premier, others are reluctant about him.

A joburg government worker told the publication that his resignation was long over due. “He hasn’t been doing a lot in terms of reducing crime rate in the province so hopefully the new premier will help”.

A Soweto resident said she supports Lesufi based on what he has done previously. ” Lesufi has done exceptionally well as the Education MEC so hopefully he will revive this dead province. Meanwhile, another resident said he hasn’t been following developments and further labelled politicians as joke.

Premier Lesufi highlighted that one of the priorities of his administration is to refocus on the provincial government’s programmes and interventions to improve the quality of life of Gauteng residents.

Written by Thapelo Magola