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Gend er activists have praised the announcement of four female Premier elects as significant and a step in the right direction to put women in Government's top decision making organs.

"It shows President Mbeki takes serious the transformation...these are women who will be running provinces," said Ms Kubi Rama, a deputy director in the Johannesburg-based Gender links.

The move, affirmed Ms Rama, was an "incredible step" that would go a long way in motivating and instilling confidence in women especially young women that "there are no limitations".

"It is a good indication that in 2009, we might have all provincial lists consisting of a fair representation of women."

Speaking to BuaNews this morning from Cape Town, Phumla Mncayi, director for Gender Advocacy hailed the "promotions" as recognition of women's contribution to the country's liberation.

"It gives some hope for you women," she stated.

The activists' remarks come after President Thabo Mbeki elected the country's nine premiers yesterday, following the 2004 general elections last week.

The four female premier elects are Nosimo Balindela for the Eastern Cape, Ms Beatrice Marshoff for the Free State, Dipuo Moloto for the Northern Cape and Edna Molewa for the North West.

The four respectively replace Mr Makhenkesi Stofile, Ms Winkie Direko, Mr Manne Dipico and Dr Popo Molefe.

This is the first time the country will have more than a single woman Premier, which activists say is a shot in the arm for representation in government for women.

Women, not only constitute a majority of the country's population, but also cast the largest number of votes in the country's third democratic general elections.

The four succeed male party colleagues with the exception of Ms Marshoff from the Free State, who takes over from Ms Direko.

The mostly agricultural Free State is the only province to have had women premiers since the dawn of democratic rule, ten years ago.

In the other provinces, Thabang Makwetla who is the current MEC for Safety and Liaison in Mpumalanga will replace Premier Ndaweni Mahlangu.

In KwaZulu-Natal, current Transport MEC Sbu Ndebele replaces Lionel Mtshali of the Inkatha Freedom Party after the African National Party (ANC) won the majority of votes there.

The New National Party's (NNP) Marthinus van Schalkwyk is replaced by current MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs Ebrahim Rasool in the Western Cape.

In Limpopo, the current Health MEC Sello Moloto replaces outgoing Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi.

Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa is the only seasoned provincial leader to remain in his seat - BuaNews.

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