President Cyril Ramaphosa added two ministries to his cabinet, announcing 33 ministers late on Sunday, as he unveiled a new coalition cabinet that includes members from parties in the government of national unity (GNU).
Ramaphosa, who had previously vowed to trim the number of executive positions, said the expanded cabinet for the seventh administration was to ensure that all members of the GNU are included and to separate portfolios to “ensure that there is sufficient focus on key issues”.
After a closely watched tussle over cabinet posts, the DA has six ministers and six deputy minsters. These include the important home affairs and communications ministries. DA MPs Leon Schriber and Solly Malatsi have been appointed as ministers in these portfolios, respectively.
The Patriotic Alliance’s (PA’s) leader Gayton McKenzie has been appointed as minister of sports, arts & culture replacing the ANC’s Zizi Kodwa. The ex-gangster turned businessman previously said he would leave the GNU should the PA not be allocated a portfolio.
The DA had targeted key infrastructure ministries with macroeconomic impact, such as transport and the trade & industry ministry. These, however, have been retained by the ANC with Ramaphosa appointing former environment minister Barbara Creecy as minister of transport. The IFP’s Mkhuleko Hlengwa is her deputy.
Former Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau is the new trade & industry minister alongside two deputy ministers — the ANC’s Zuko Godlimpi and the DA’s Andrew Whitfield.
The DA’s leader, John Steenhuisen, takes charge of the agriculture portfolio, which has been split from land and is now a stand-alone department.
Ramaphosa appointed the PAC’s Mzwanele Nyhontso as minister of land & rural development.
The DA’s KwaZulu-Natal chair, Dean Macpherson, has been appointed public works & infrastructure minister, replacing the ANC’s Sihle Zikalala. Zikalala was appointed Macpherson’s deputy.
The DA’s former chief whip, Siviwe Gwarube, has been appointed as basic education minister, which is seen as a move to improve education outcomes, but the move could anger the ANC-aligned Cosatu.
The appointment of Gwarube is also set to anger teacher union Sadtu. The ANC-aligned union was opposed to the DA taking charge of the basic education department, accusing the DA of seeking to destroy the union.
The national executive committee (NEC) “was reminded that the DA’s manifesto declared war” on Sadtu “by lamenting that Sadtu was too strong and must be dealt with”, the union said on Sunday after a weekend-long meeting of its top brass.
In the televised announcement, Ramaphosa said members of the new executive would prioritise their respective party mandates, but ensure that policy and service delivery was not fragmented.
A “statement of intent” signed between the parties on June 14 said the president retained the prerogative to appoint ministers, in consultation with leaders of the parties in the GNU.
“All the parties have made a commitment to respect the constitution and to promote an accountable and transparent governance, evidence-based policy and decision-making, the professionalisation of the public service, integrity and good governance,” Ramaphosa said.
“The incoming government will prioritise rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and the creation of a more just society by tackling poverty and inequality.”
Ramaphosa has retained powerful departments, which are seen as levers of development — particularly trade, industry & competition and the Treasury.
Enoch Godongwana retains his position as finance minister alongside two deputies — the DA’s Ashor Sarupen and the ANC’s David Masondo — who returns to the position.
The electricity & energy department has been merged, with the ANC’s Kgosientsho Ramokgopa taking charge and the DA’s Samantha Graham announced as deputy minister.
ANC chair, Gwede Mantashe, is now the minister of the newly formed portfolio of mineral & petroleum resources.
The reconfigured cabinet is a result of the outcome of the May 29 general elections where the ANC lost its outright majority, requiring it to work with former political rivals, including the DA and the IFP.
It is understood that Ramaphosa began to work on his new cabinet as soon as he was elected by the National Assembly three weeks ago and consulted widely. He also worked closely with the ANC’s top seven officials, and the ANC’s coalitions technical team including former head of elections and now chief whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli.
Space was created in the new cabinet by the departure of several ministers, some of whom did not make it onto the ANC’s MPs list. Others announced their retirement and — in the case of agriculture, land reform & rural development minister Thoko Didiza — because they were moved.
Didiza become speaker of the National Assembly.
The position of sports, arts & culture minister was left vacant after corruption-accused Zizi Kodwa resigned.
Among those not included on the ANC’s list of MPs were Bheki Cele, Thandi Modise, Noxolo Kiviet, Naledi Pandor, Thulas Nxesi and Lindiwe Zulu.
Three ministers announced that they would not be available for reappointment: public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan, trade, industry & competition minister Ebrahim Patel and minister in the presidency responsible for women, youth and persons with disabilities, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.