The African National Congress has elected KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube as the person they want to take over from KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala following his resignation last week.

If appointed, Dube-Ncube would be the first female premier in KwaZulu-Natal.

Dube-Ncube was selected as the preferred candidate following an interview process undertaken by the ANC’s national executive committee.   

Accepting her candidacy, Dube-Ncube said government must champion services to the people.

She promised to work with all structures to ensure that the policies outlined by the ANC unite South Africans.

“I am sure our leaders such as Victoria Mxenge and Dorothy Nyembe, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and many leaders where they are, are rejoicing during this [women’s] month. The ANC as the champion of non-racialism, non-sexism is indeed ensuring that our women who are capable are given the responsibility to lead. I humbly accept and wish to thank and commit that we will not disappoint the people of KwaZulu-Natal,” said Dube-Ncube.