PHUTI MOSOMANE
DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile has announced key appointments in his office to assist him fulfil his new roles as leader of government business and peace missions on the African continent.
On Tuesday, Mashatile appointed former ANC spokesperson Keith Khoza and former presidential spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga as advisors.
Khoza, who previously held the position of Head of Communication in the ANC, has been appointed as Political Advisor to the Deputy President.
Ratshitanga, who served as former President Thabo Mbeki’s spokesperson, has been appointed as an International Relations Advisor.
Mashatile’s office has also roped in communications expert, political analyst and former Business Day political reporter, Vukani Mde, as spokesperson for the Deputy President.
Mde’s responsibilities include leading and managing the communications unit within the Deputy President’s office.
Mashatile’s office has announced that the appointments will assist the Deputy President in fulfilling his constitutional responsibility of supporting President Cyril Ramaphosa in the execution of government functions.
“A well-capacitated office with technical skills to achieve the objectives of Government will ensure that the Deputy President is able to effectively fulfil his mandate,” his office said in a media statement.
In terms of the administrative functions of the Deputy President’s office, Mduduzi Mbada, a former Acting Director-General at the Gauteng Provincial Government, will serve as the Head of the Office, with support from Chief Directors Melene Rossouw (Personal Support and Advisory Services) and Lerato Ntsangani (Strategy and Special Projects, as retained).
Dr Tshilidzi Ratshitanga was appointed as Mashatile’s Strategy and Spatial Transformation Advisor. Mashatile, on the other hand, has retained two advisors who were advising former Deputy President, David Mabuza.
Madala Masuku will serve as an advisor to the Deputy President on matters related to service delivery and the District Development Model, while Thulani Mdakane will advise on issues related to land reform and social cohesion.
As the Deputy President, Mashatile’s key government responsibilities include serving as the leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, as per section 91(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
In addition, Mashatile is also responsible for leading the government’s efforts to expedite land reform and coordinate programs aimed at accelerating land reform and agricultural support.
He also oversees rapid response interventions in service delivery hotspots to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
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