Creecy could become first white ANC premier

GAUTENG education MEC Barbara Creecy looks set to replace Nomvula Mokonyane as premier if the ANC wins the province in the May 7 election.

Creecy's is one of three names likely to be put forward to Luthuli House as premier candidates. She would be the first white ANC premier.

The choice will be made by the ANC's top leadership.

The other two candidates are Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile, ANC chairman in Gauteng, and provincial secretary David Makhura.

Although ANC structures in the province want Mashatile to return to the post he held briefly before the 2009 elections, they are resigned to the probability that President Jacob Zuma will keep him in the cabinet.

In its candidates list submitted to the ANC national election committee late last year, Gauteng had Makhura and Creecy at the top .

Although Makhura is first on the list, the ANC gender-parity policy - which means at least four of the eight premiers should be women - would most likely result in Luthuli House choosing Creecy.

A senior ANC leader in the province confirmed that Creecy stood a good chance.

"She is one of our best-performing MECs. She has done an excellent job in her portfolio," said the leader.

A Johannesburg regional leader said the ANC leadership might not be comfortable about Makhura's close ties to Masha-tile, which would enhance Creecy's chances.

Although a minister in the cabinet, Mashatile does not see eye to eye with the president.

He openly opposed Zuma's bid for a second term.

"The reason why Paul wants David there is because he wants to control government. Appointing David is the same as appointing Paul. Luthuli House will never allow that," the regional leader said.

Creecy replaced the minister of basic education, Angie Motshekga, as education MEC in 2009.

Before that, she served as MEC for sport.

Makhura refused to comment on premier candidates, saying the matter had not been discussed by the provincial executive. "The issue of the premiership is not our primary focus right now. We are focusing on taking the ANC to the people of Gauteng," he said.

Creecy was not available for comment.

An ANC provincial executive member who is against Creecy's appointment said her position on the list did not guarantee she would be the party's preferred premier candidate.

He said the executive, which is dominated by Mashatile's supporters, could still submit a list to Luthuli House that did not include her name.

"They could even choose people who are not on the list. [North West premier] Thandi Modise was not on the list when she was appointed premier," the executive member said.

But the provincial executive is unlikely to ignore the list because it reflects the preference of the province's branches.