Gauteng ANC chairman Paul Mashatile - who has been out in the cold since he was sidelined by President Jacob Zuma in 2014 - is returning to the provincial legislature. Mashatile, who once served as Gauteng premier, has been appointed MEC of human settlements, co-operative governance and traditional affairs.The former minister of arts and culture has been in political obscurity since he lost his bid for the position of national chairman of the ANC at the party's national conference in Mangaung in 2012. He was subsequently relegated to being an ordinary MP.Gauteng, the province that Mashatile leads, is seen as one of those that will lobby for Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to take over from President Jacob Zuma in 2017.Last night, Gauteng premier David Makhura announced that he needed Mashatile "to strengthen Team Gauteng".Makhura, who is the provincial ANC deputy chairman, dismissed concerns that Mashatile's appointment could unsettle him, given the latter's seniority in the provincial structures."In Gauteng the issue of two centres of power has long [since] died."We buried what was understood to be two centres of power. "I am very pleased with his appointment. He is a powerful team player."Makhura said the decision to bring Mashatile back to the province was taken by the top five ANC officials in Gauteng. It was then presented to the ANC nationally, where it was accepted unconditionally.Makhura also hinted that the decision was partly informed by challenges faced by the provincial government within the local government sphere."Mashatile will help us to get the local government to work," he said."Gauteng is an economic hub and we have to do extraordinary things [in the] province. We make no apology for strengthening the team."Mashatile replaces Jacob Mamabolo, who has been shifted to infrastructure development. Mamabolo replaces Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, who was appointed MEC for social development...