This article is part of a series on the
Politics of South Africa
Constitution Bill of Rights
Executive President Cyril Ramaphosa Deputy President Paul Mashatile Cabinet Departments Shadow Cabinet
Legislature National Council of Provinces Chairperson Amos Masondo National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula Leader of the Opposition John Steenhuisen
Judiciary Chief Justice Ray Zondo Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya Courts Constitutional Court Supreme Court of Appeal President: Mahube Molemela High Court Magistrate's courts Electoral Court
Elections General 1910 1915 1920 1921 1924 1929 1933 1938 1943 1948 1953 1958 1961 1966 1970 1974 1977 1981 1984 1987 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 2019 2024 Municipal 2000 2006 2011 2016 2021 Referendums 1960 1983 1992 Political parties
Administrative divisions Provinces Districts Metropolitan municipality District municipality Municipalities (list)
Foreign relations Department of International Relations and Cooperation Minister: Naledi Pandor Diplomatic missions of / in South Africa Nationality law Passport Visa requirements Visa policy
Related topics Human rights National debt Political assassinations Protests Repression Social Welfare Taxation
Provincial Politics Politics of the Eastern Cape Politics of the Free State Politics of Gauteng Politics of KwaZulu-Natal Politics of Limpopo Politics of Mpumalanga Politics of the Northern Cape Politics of North West Politics of the Western Cape
South Africa portal Other countries

A premier in South Africa's provinces is the head of the provincial government. This position mirrors the president's role at the national level, functioning as the chief executive and leading the province's executive council. Premiers are chosen by members of the provincial legislature, typically from the dominant political party. Similar to the President and national cabinet, the Premier appoints Members of the Executive Council (MECs) to oversee various provincial departments.^[1]

Background[edit]

The concept of Premiers in South Africa is directly linked to the establishment of the country's current nine-province system in 1994. This marked a dramatic shift from the pre-apartheid era:

Prior to 1994, South Africa consisted of four provinces governed by administrators appointed by the central government. These provinces were established during the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910.

The dismantling of apartheid and the first democratic elections in 1994 led to a significant restructuring of the government.

A key aspect of this change was the creation of nine provinces, incorporating the former "homelands" (Bantustans) into a unified South Africa. These "homelands" were territories designated for specific racial groups under apartheid. Their inclusion aimed to dismantle the spatial segregation enforced by the apartheid regime.

To ensure democratic representation at this new provincial level, the position of Premier was created. Premiers became the elected leaders responsible for heading their respective provincial governments.

Relations Between Premiers and Other Levels of Government in South Africa[edit]

South Africa's three-tier system of government – national, provincial, and local – necessitates a complex web of relationships to ensure smooth operation. Premiers, as heads of provincial governments, play a crucial role in intergovernmental relations.

Cooperative Governance[edit]

The South African Constitution emphasizes cooperative governance as a core principle. This means all spheres of government – national, provincial, and local – have a legal obligation to work together for the collective good of the country.

Premiers play a vital role in fostering this cooperation within their provinces. They convene Premier's Inter-governmental Forums (PIFs), bringing together local government representatives (mayors) and provincial-level officials (MECs).

PIFs serve as platforms for:

• Discussing and coordinating broad provincial development plans.
• Aligning provincial and local government strategies.
• Addressing issues of common interest.

National-Provincial Relations[edit]

The national government sets the overall policy framework for the country. However, provinces have some legislative and executive autonomy.

Premiers maintain regular communication with the President and national ministers (through bodies like the Ministerial and Member of the Executive Council Meetings – MINMECs).

This allows for:

• Negotiation and consultation on national policies that impact the provinces.
• Sharing best practices and expertise between national and provincial levels.
• Joint problem-solving for national issues with provincial dimensions (e.g., infrastructure development).

Challenges and Tensions[edit]

Despite the emphasis on cooperation, tensions can arise between levels of government.

These might involve:

• Disputes over national funding allocations to provinces.
• Disagreements on policy implementation at the provincial level.
• Competition for resources and political influence.

Mechanisms for Addressing Tensions:[edit]

South Africa has established various mechanisms to address intergovernmental disputes.

These include:

• Intergovernmental Relations Act: This act provides a framework for cooperation and conflict resolution between government spheres.
• Dispute Resolution Mechanisms: These mechanisms, often involving mediation or litigation, aim to reach solutions when disagreements occur.

Role[edit]

In terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the executive authority of a province is vested in the Premier. The Premier appoints an Executive Council made up of five to 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 power to hire and fire MECs at their own discretion. The Western Cape is the only province where MECs are known as Provincial Ministers and the Executive Council is known as the Provincial Cabinet, in terms of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Western Cape, 1997. ^[2]

The Premier and the Executive Council are responsible for implementing provincial legislation, along with any national legislation assigned to the provinces. They set provincial policy and manage the departments of the provincial government; their actions are subject to the national constitution and the provincial constitution (if there is one).

In order for an act of the provincial legislature to become law, the Premier must sign it. If the Premier believes that the act is unconstitutional, it can be referred back to the legislature for reconsideration. 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 his or her province.

Election[edit]

Elections for the nine provincial legislatures are held every five years, simultaneously with the election of the National Assembly; the last such election occurred on 8 May 2019. At the first meeting of the provincial legislature after an election, the members choose the Premier from amongst themselves. The legislature can force the Premier to resign by a motion of no confidence. If the Premiership becomes vacant (for whatever reason) the legislature must choose a new Premier to serve out the period until the next election.

List of current premiers[edit]

Province	Title	Portrait	Name	Order	Party		Incumbency	First mandate began	Current mandate began
Eastern Cape	Premier		Oscar Mabuyane	7th		ANC	4 years, 341 days (22 May 2019)	2019 Election	2019 Election
Free State	Premier		Mxolisi Dukwana	7th		ANC	1 year, 63 days (24 February 2023)	2023 Designation	2023 Designation
Gauteng	Premier		Panyaza Lesufi	7th		ANC	1 year, 204 days (6 October 2022)	6 October 2022 2022 Designation	6 October 2022 2022 Designation
KwaZulu-Natal	Premier		Nomusa Dube-Ncube	9th		ANC	1 year, 261 days (10 August 2022)	2022 Designation	2022 Designation
Limpopo	Premier		Stanley Mathabatha	5th		ANC	10 years, 284 days (18 July 2013)	2013 Designation	2019 Election
Mpumalanga	Premier		Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane	5th		ANC	6 years, 38 days (20 March 2018)	2018 Designation	2019 Election
North West	Premier		Bushy Maape	7th		ANC	2 years, 233 days (7 September 2021)	2021 Designation	2021 Designation
Northern Cape	Premier		Zamani Saul	5th		ANC	4 years, 341 days (22 May 2019)	2019 Election	2019 Election
Western Cape	Premier		Alan Winde	8th		DA	4 years, 341 days (22 May 2019)	2019 Election	2019 Election

Timeline[edit]

See also[edit]

• Premier
• Politics of South Africa
• Provinces of South Africa

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• List of Premiers by province
• Photo gallery of Premiers