Premier of KwaZulu-Natal

The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal is the head of government of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The current Premier of KwaZulu-Natal is Sihle Zikalala, a member of the African National Congress, who was elected in the 2019 election. He took office on 27 May 2019.[1][2]

Premier of KwaZulu-Natal
Incumbent
Sihle Zikalala
since 27 May 2019
StyleThe Honourable
AppointerKwaZulu-Natal Legislature
Term lengthFive years, renewable once
Inaugural holderFrank Mdlalose
Formation7 May 1994
Websitehttp://www.kznonline.gov.za/
KwaZulu-Natal
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
KwaZulu-Natal
Constitution
Politics of South Africa

Functions

In terms of the constitution, the executive authority of a province is entrusted in the Premier. The Premier announces an Executive Council consisting of ten members of the provincial legislature; they are called Members of the Executive Council (MECs). The MECs are basically ministers and the Executive Council a cabinet at the provincial level. The Premier has the authority to appoint and axe MECs at his/her own discretion.

The Premier and the Executive Council are responsible for implementing provincial legislation, along with any national legislation allocated to the province. They set provincial policy and manage the departments of the provincial government; their actions are subject to the national constitution.

In order for an act of the provincial legislature to become law, the Premier must sign it. If he/she 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 final consideration.

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 the province.[3]

List
No. Name Took office Party
1 Frank Mdlalose 11 May 1994 Inkatha Freedom Party
2 Ben Ngubane 1 March 1997
(acting until 19 March)		 Inkatha Freedom Party
3 Lionel Mtshali 10 February 1999 Inkatha Freedom Party
4 S'bu Ndebele 23 April 2004 African National Congress
5 Zweli Mkhize 6 May 2009 African National Congress
6 Senzo Mchunu 22 August 2013 African National Congress
7 Willies Mchunu 24 May 2016 African National Congress
8 Sihle Zikalala 27 May 2019 African National Congress

    Election

    The election for the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature is 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 provincial legislature can force the Premier to resign by a motion of no confidence. If the Premiership becomes vacant (for whatever reason) the provincial legislature must choose a new Premier to serve out the period until the next election. One person cannot have served more than two five-year terms as Premier; however, when a Premier is chosen to fill a vacancy the time until the next election does not count as a term.

    See also

    References
    1. Sihle Zikalala elected KZN premier. Retrieved on 25 June 2019.
    2. Sihle Zikalala officially takes over as KZN Premier, vows to emulate Mandela. Retrieved on 25 June 2019.
    3. Constitution of South Africa
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