Premier of Limpopo

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Premier of Limpopo
Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba.jpg
Incumbent
Phophi Ramathuba
since 14 June 2024
Style The Honourable
Appointer Limpopo Legislature
Term length Five years, renewable once
Constituting instrument Constitution of South Africa
Inaugural holder Ngoako Ramatlhodi
Formation7 May 1994
Website www.limpopo.gov.za/premier_page/overview.asp

The premier of Limpopo is the head of government of Limpopo province of South Africa. The current premier of Limpopo is Phophi Ramathuba, a member of the African National Congress, who was elected on 14 June 2024, following the 2024 national and provincial elections. She is the first woman to hold the office. [1]

Contents

Functions

In terms of the constitution, the executive authority of a province is vested in the premier. The premier appoints an Executive Council made up of ten members of the provincial legislature; they are known as Members of the Executive Council (MECs). The MECs are effectively ministers and the Executive Council a cabinet at the provincial level. The premier has the ability to appoint and dismiss MECs at his/her own discretion.

The premier and the Executive Council are responsible for implementing provincial legislation, along with any national legislation assigned to the province. They set provincial policy and manage the departments of the provincial government; their actions are subject to the national constitution.

In order for an act of the provincial legislature to become law, the premier must sign the legislation. The premier can refer legislation back to the legislature for reconsideration if the premier believes the act is unconstitutional. If the premier and the legislature cannot agree, the act must be referred to the Constitutional Court for a final decision.

The premier is also ex officio a member of the National Council of Provinces, the upper house of Parliament, as one of the special delegates from the province. [2]

List

No.PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Term of officePolitical party
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1 No image.png Ngoako Ramatlhodi (born 1955)7 May 199422 April 20049 years, 351 days African National Congress
- No image.png Catherine Mabuza (acting)22 April 200426 April 20044 days
2 No image.png Sello Moloto (born 1964)26 April 20042 March 20094 years, 310 days
3 No image.png Cassel Mathale (born 1961)3 March 200918 July 20134 years, 137 days
4 Limpopo Premier Chupu Stanley Mathabatha.jpg Stanley Mathabatha (born 1957)18 July 201314 June 202410 years, 332 days
5 Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba.jpg Phophi Ramathuba (born 1973)14 June 2024Incumbent172 days

Election

The election for the Limpopo Provincial Legislature is held every five years, simultaneously with the election of the National Assembly; the last such election occurred on 29 May 2024. At the first meeting of the provincial legislature after an election, the members choose the premier from amongst themselves. The provincial legislature can force the premier to resign by a motion of no confidence. If the premiership becomes vacant (for whatever reason) the provincial legislature must choose a new premier to serve out the period until the next election. One person cannot have served more than two five-year terms as premier; however, when a premier is chosen to fill a vacancy the time until the next election does not count as a term.

See also

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References

  1. "Ramathuba becomes Limpopo's first woman premier". Jacaranda FM. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  2. Constitution of South Africa