Steenhuisen the biggest loser as Ramaphosa reshuffles cabinet

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday night granted new DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis’ wish to reshuffle the party’s representatives in the cabinet of the government of national unity (GNU).

Under the changes:

• Willie Aucamp replaces John Steenhuisen as minister of agriculture, with a mandate to address ongoing legal issues related to the foot-and-mouth disease vaccine rollout.
• Steenhuisen moves to deputy minister of trade, industry & competition, with a focus on agricultural market access and industrial growth.
• David Maynier is elevated to minister of forestry, fisheries & the environment.
• Alexandra Abrahams becomes deputy minister of electricity & energy.
• Yusuf Cassim is appointed deputy minister of higher education & training.
• Jack Bloom is brought in as deputy minister of water & sanitation.

Ramaphosa sent the letters on Tuesday to DA ministers and deputy ministers ahead of a co-ordinated reshuffle linked to changes within the party’s cabinet deployment.

Hill-Lewis last week informed the president that the party intended to reshuffle its executive representatives, a process aimed at “strengthening the DA’s contribution” to the GNU and ensuring its strongest team is deployed to government.

The incoming DA appointees are expected to be sworn in on Wednesday in Pretoria, marking a swift turnover in several key portfolios.

In June, Hill-Lewis announced a wide-ranging internal reshuffle that saw significant changes to the DA’s representation in cabinet, including the reassignment of former party leader Steenhuisen.

Former deputy minister of electricity & energy Samantha Graham-Maré took to Facebook to reflect on her tenure.

“And so ends my tenure as deputy minister of electricity and energy,” she wrote.

“It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve my country in this capacity. And I will forever be grateful to those who saw my potential and gave me the opportunity to be part of history in the government of national unity, notably John Steenhuisen.”

She thanked electricity & energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, officials, her staff, family and friends for their support during her time in office, adding: “I hope I left my country slightly better off than the way I found it. The next adventure awaits.”