President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday night announced a reduced executive, with Tito Mboweni returning as finance minister and Pravin Gordhan in the public enterprises portfolio.
In a shock announcement Ramaphosa also included former Cape Town mayor and leader of the Good party, Patricia de Lille, as minister of public works and infrastructure. De Lille’s party entered parliament after the May 8 poll with two seats in the national assembly.
David Mabuza, after being sworn in as an MP on Tuesday, was appointed deputy president of the country.
The president’s leaner cabinet marked a decisive move away from his predecessor Jacob Zuma’s bloated executive and excluded compromised leaders such as Bathabile Dlamini. Another notable exclusion was SA’s longest-serving cabinet minister, Jeff Radebe.
The new executive was a combination of new and old faces, with most of the experienced ministers moving to new portfolios.
In the run-up to Wednesday’s cabinet announcement Ramaphosa made a commitment to appoint a competent, credible and forward-thinking executive. This is the first cabinet Ramaphosa has appointed from scratch and includes key allies such as Jackson Mthembu as minister in the presidency, Senzo Mchunu as minister of public service and administration, and Zizi Kodwa as deputy minister in the state security department.
Ramaphosa has cut the number of ministers from 36 to 28 in his reconfigured cabinet, which saw key changes to the different departments.
"In undertaking this review, we have been guided by the need to build a modern developmental state that has the means to drive economic and social transformation, to embrace innovation and to direct effort and resources towards where they will have the greatest impact," Ramaphosa said.
He said South Africans were acutely aware of the great economic difficulties the country faced and the constraints that were being placed on the public finances.
"It is therefore imperative that in all areas and spheres of government, we place priority on revitalising our economy while exercising the greatest care in the use of public funds."
A number of ministries were merged as part of the reconfiguration, in an effort to cut a bloated and expensive executive.
Trade & industry was merged with economic development, which will be led by Ebrahim Patel, a non-MP appointment. The ministry of small business development will remain, with Khumbudzo Ntshavheni heading it up.
The new department of labour and employment will be headed by Thulas Nxesi, while agriculture, land reform and rural development will be led by Thoko Didiza.
Newcomer to the executive Ronald Lamola will head up the justice and correctional services ministry, while Ayanda Dlodlo will be minister of state security and Bheki Cele remains as police minister.
Zweli Mkhize was moved to the health ministry, while Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma will take over at co-operative governance and traditional affairs.
Naledi Pandor was selected to be minister of international relations and co-operation. Former Gauteng Finance MEC Barbara Creecy was appointed minister of the environment, forestry and fisheries. The ministry of higher education was merged with science and technology, headed by Blade Nzimande. Angie Motshekga remains at basic education.
The ministries of energy and mineral resources were also combined and will be headed by Gwede Mantashe.
Fikile Mbalula returned to cabinet to take over as transport minister, while Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams remains communications minister and Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula remains defence minister. Lindiwe Sisulu will be minister of the combined new portfolio of human settlements, water and sanitation.
Aaron Motsoaledi was moved from the health ministry to home affairs.
Minister in the presidency for women, youth and persons with disabilities was taken over by Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
"The people who I am appointing today must realise that the expectations of the South African people have never been greater and that they will shoulder a great responsibility," Ramaphosa said.
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