Inside Politics Reporter
New members of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national executive were sworn-in on Wednesday at the Cape Town International Convention Center to begin their duty in the 7th administration.
The swearing in ceremony of the Deputy President, Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers was presided over by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo where members took oath of office or solemn confirmation.
For the second time since the dawn of the democratic order in South Africa, the national executive will be composed of members from various political parties who have joined the “Government of National Unity” after the May 29 elections did not produce a majority winner.
The ANC received the popular vote and invited all political parties who secured seats in the National Assembly to join the party in forming the government. Out of 18 parties represented in the National Assembly only 10 parties heeded the ANC’s call.
Most parties that heeded the call and joined were rewarded with Cabinet positions which resulted in some ANC ministers demoted to lower positions of Deputy Ministers.
The executive was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday after days of fierce negotiations particularly between the ANC and DA which at some stage collapsed and nearly fizzled.
Although in previous administrations presidents had the prerogative to appoint ministers from other political parties other than the governing ANC, this is the first time that the composition was dictated to by the elections results.
The first Government of National Unity was led by former President Nelson Mandela which was seen more as a transitional government as the country had just emerged from the dark days of apartheid and the first democratic elections were preceded by a wave of violence mostly in the townships.
The day marked a historic moment where foes from the opposition will be working together in government and no longer occupying opposition benches.
INSIDE POLITICS
