Masualle under pressure to appoint women MECs

ALL eyes will be on premier Phumulo Masualle today as he appoints his provincial cabinet, 60% of which has to be women, amid mounting pressure for the Bhisho administration to fast-track development in the Eastern Cape.

The 60% requirement is an attempt to reach sufficient gender representation after President Jacob Zuma failed to meet the ANC's 50/50 gender equality target when he appointed seven men premiers and only one women premier earlier this week.

Under former premier Noxolo Kiviet, Social Development (Pemmy Majodina), Human Settlements (Helen Sauls-August), Public Works, Roads and Transport (Thandiswa Marawu), Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (Zoleka Capa) and Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (Xoliswa Tom) were all led by women. - Mkhululi Ndamase