CHARLES MOLELE
AS widely expected, President Cyril Ramaphosa named ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile as the country’s new Deputy President.
Mashatile takes over from David Mabuza, who stepped down on March 1 following his request to Ramaphosa to resign from the position.
“I have decided to appoint Mr Paul Mashatile as Deputy President of Republic,” said Ramaphosa.
“As I indicated in my reply to the State of the Nation Debate on the 16th of February, Deputy President David Mabuza asked to step down from that position. I am grateful for his support over the five years of his tenure and for his dedicated service to the government and people of South Africa.”
Mashatile, 61, was elected ANC Deputy President during the party’s 55th National Conference at Nasrec, south of Johannesburg.
He had previously served as ANC Gauteng chairperson and as the province’s Premier between 2008 and 2009.
Mashatile has also occupied several positions in government, having served as Minister of Arts and Culture, and the Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance.
The Deputy President, who is the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, assists the President in executing government functions.
The Deputy President also plays a role as the leader of the SA National AIDS Council (SANAC) and the country’s integrated response to the challenges of HIV and AIDS, amongst others.
Ramaphosa said the delay in making changes to his executive was the result of a number of processes that needed to be followed, “some of which related to the requirements of the Constitution relating to the appointment of members of the National Executive”.
“The changes that I am announcing now are intended to fill vacancies that have occurred in the Executive and to direct government more effectively towards the areas that require urgent and decisive action,” said Ramaphosa.
“I have sought to balance the need for new skills and capabilities to drive the agenda that we outlined in the State of the Nation Address with the important task of ensuring stability and continuity in the work of government.”
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