By Nangamso Mabindla
26 April 2004

DRESSED in her trademark traditional outfit, Nosimo Balindlela was earlier today sworn in at the provincial Parliament in Bisho as the Eastern Cape's first woman premier of the province's third democratic legislature.

In her address to a packed audience which included former premier, Raymond Mhlaba, outgoing premier, Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile, other political leaders and the public, the barefoot premier said she was honoured to be elected to lead the province.

She thanked President Thabo Mbeki for showing his faith in her. "I will try hard not to let him down," a visibly excited Balindlela said.

Balindlela, who was previously the province's minister for Sport, Arts and Culture, said one of her greatest challenges as premier would be to successfully fight the battle against poverty, unemployment and disease. "As I have always said it before, I will never neglect the poor. Together with my team, I will strive to bring a better life to our people," she said.

Though the groundwork for a successful government had already been laid by the former premiers of the province, she emphasised that achieving these goals needed teamwork from other leaders and the people themselves. "All I need to do now is to implement strategies formulated by my predecessors," she said.

She also called for all political parties to work in unison for a successful Eastern Cape.

In his address, the province's minister for Economic Affairs and Tourism, Enoch Godongwana, said: "Let us all get behind our new premier and make sure the province is successful in achieving its goals and pushing back the frontiers of poverty. Today the legislature is all women."

Nomsa Kiviet was named as the new speaker of the legislature, replacing Mkhangeli Matomela, while deputy speaker Mandisa Marasha retained her position.

Balindlela is expected to announce members of her executive council before Friday.