Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba has announced a reconstitution of her Provincial Executive Council that brings three new members into the cabinet and removes three sitting MECs, a reshuffle she says is intended to strengthen the province’s capacity to deliver services.
New appointments and portfolio moves
The premier swore in three new MECs and shifted several portfolios during the reconfiguration at the Office of the Premier in Polokwane, reported to have been formalised on Wednesday.
- Pule Shayi — appointed MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs
- Eddie Maila — appointed MEC for Health
- Constance Kupa-Mabuza — appointed MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture
There were also internal moves: Nakedi Kekana was moved from Agriculture to Transport and Community Safety, while Basikopo Makamu shifted from Cooperative Governance to Agriculture.
| Portfolio | MEC |
|---|---|
| Agriculture and Rural Development | Basikopo Makamu |
| Education | Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya |
| Social Development | Florence Radzilani |
| Transport and Community Safety | Nakedi Kekana |
| Economic Development, Environment and Tourism | Tshitereke Matibe |
| Finance | Kgabo Mohoai |
| Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure | Ernest Rachoene |
| Sport, Arts and Culture | Constance Kupa-Mabuza |
| Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs | Pule Shayi |
| Health | Eddie Maila |
Outgoing MECs
The reshuffle removed three MECs from the executive council: Dioketseng Mashego (Health), Jerry Maseko (Sport, Arts and Culture) and Violet Mathye (Transport and Community Safety). Ramathuba expressed gratitude to the outgoing members for their service and said the changes were not taken lightly.
“As a government, we must constantly evaluate our progress. There is always room for improvement, and to better serve our people, we must ensure our team is agile, focused and ready to meet the evolving demands of our province,” the premier said in a statement.
Premier cites service delivery and performance
Ramathuba framed the reshuffle as a strategic realignment aimed at accelerating the province’s development agenda. She told the new executive that performance will be measured against the ability to improve the lives of residents in villages and towns across Limpopo, acknowledging persistent challenges such as high unemployment, poverty and limited access to basic services.
The premier also brought several members of the provincial ANC leadership, elected earlier this year, into government roles as part of the reconfiguration, signalling a tighter alignment between party structures and provincial administration.
Political reactions
The move drew criticism from the opposition. The DA in Limpopo accused the premier of using provincial government structures to advance factional party interests rather than prioritising the needs of ordinary residents. The party said the reshuffle appeared to reflect internal ANC dynamics rather than an impartial exercise to boost governance.
The Economic Freedom Fighters likewise characterised the changes as evidence of factional politics within the ANC. Both opposition parties warned that service delivery should not be subordinated to internal party positioning and urged transparency in how the reshuffle will translate into improved outcomes for communities.
What this means for residents
Portfolio changes can affect the pace and focus of service delivery projects, from road maintenance and housing to health services and social development programmes. Departments undergoing leadership change may take time to settle, with potential short-term disruptions as new MECs familiarise themselves with departmental priorities and projects.
Residents and civic organisations monitoring service delivery should seek clarity from the relevant departmental offices on any changes to project timelines or contact points. Ward councillors and municipal offices remain the primary channels for raising immediate local concerns, including water, sanitation and road repair requests.
The reconstitution marks the first change to the provincial executive since the start of the seventh administration in July 2024. The new line-up will be under pressure to produce measurable improvements in basic services and economic opportunities for Limpopo’s communities.
Polokwane will continue to be the hub for oversight and accountability as the new MECs take up their responsibilities and present priorities for their departments in the coming weeks.
