President Cyril Ramaphosa, after much anticipation, has finally reconfigured his Cabinet.
He has named Paul Mashatile as his deputy following the resignation of David Mabuza last week.
The president also named Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as the minister of electricity.
This is in line with his message at his 7th State of the Nation address earlier this month.
Ramaphosa announced that he would appoint a minister of electricity in the Presidency in order to deal more effectively and urgently with the current energy crisis facing the country.
The president also said that he was in the process of restructuring the government which will allow for the position of various responsibilities, ministries and departments to best serve national objectives.
Ramaphosa’s Cabinet changes:
Paul Mashatile – deputy president
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni – Minister in the Presidency responsible for State Security, GCIS amongst others
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma – Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
Maropene Ramokgopa – Minister in the Presidency responsible for planning, monitoring and evaluation
Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa – Minister in the Presidency responsible for electricity
Mondli Gungubele – Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Thembi Nkadimeng – Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Noxolo Kiviet – Minister of Public Service and Administration
Sihle Zikalala – Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
Zizi Kodwa – Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Patricia de Lille – Minister of Tourism
Sindisiwe Chikunga – Minister of Transport
Who’s out:
David Mabuza – deputy president
Mabuza losing the bid to be re-elected as the African National Congress (ANC)’s second-in-command in December 2022 sealed his fate. He followed this by publicly announcing his wishes to vacate office in order to make way for his successor in the governing party to occupy the east wing of the Union Buildings.
Fikile Mbalula – Transport
His election as secretary-general of the ANC automatically meant an end to his career in government as the role is a full-time position.
Lindiwe Sisulu – Tourism
The tourism minister has been on a collision course with the president, often seen to be undermining his position and at times the tenets of the country’s democracy, which her parents fought for and helped to shape, this includes the controversial opinion piece in which she compared the country’s Constitutional Court judges to “house n*groes”.
The long-serving minister has said in the past she will be just fine without a government post.
Nathi Mthethwa – Arts, Culture & Sports
This minister has also been hounded by calls for his resignation, with various artists often complaining that Mthethwa, during his stint, failed to address their challenges. He will also be remembered for attempting to erect a R22 million flag monument, which would light up in the evening. In defending the project, which led to public outcry, Mthethwa said that it was intended to celebrate the foundational principles of South Africa’s democracy as enshrined in the Constitution.
Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
The minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is often missing in action, only to be spotted during Women’s Month. She has been severely criticised by groups she ought to represent, leaving the president himself to lead government’s efforts to communicate with survivors of gender-based violence.
Who’s been moved:
Mondli Gungubele – from the Presidency to Communications and Digital Technologies
Zizi Kodwa – from deputy minister for State Security to Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Patricia de Lille – from Public Works to Tourism
Sindisiwe Chikunga – from deputy minister of Transport to Minister of Transport
