Phuti Mosomane
In one of many surprises, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday night that PAC veteran Mzwanele Nyhontso is the new Minister responsible for Land Reform and Rural Development, while appointing DA leader John Steenhuisen as Minister of Agriculture.
Ramaphosa made the announcement of his much-anticipated Cabinet following the national elections held on May 29 where the ANC lost its majority after 30 years in government forcing it to get into a multi-party coalition with 11 other parties, including the DA but excluding the MK party and the EFF.
The President confirmed in his speech broadcast on SABC that eleven political parties are now members of the government of nation unity (GNU), a coalition of parties commanding 72% of support in the national assembly.
The new bloated Cabinet is full of surprises, some pleasant, as the President had to grapple with the fact that he had to accommodate the eleven parties who are now members of his GNU.
Ramaphosa demoted former Ministers Mondli Gungubele, Joe Phaahla and Sihle Zikalala to Deputy Minister positions.
He elevated former COGTA Deputy Minister Parks Tau to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition together with former ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina who is now the Minister of Water and Sanitation.
There were also surprises when he retained veterans Blade Nzimande as Minister of Science and Innovation and Angie Motshekga as Defence Minister with UDM’s Bantu Holomisa as her Deputy.
While a fairly young and competent Buti Manamela became one of the Higher Education Deputy Ministers with the DA’s Mimmy Gondwe.
The appointment of Thembi Nkadimeng as a Minister of Justice while Ronald Lamola has been appointed Minister in the Department of International Relations and Cooperations has been welcomed as those two Ministers are seen as competent and have done well in their previous portfolios.
Lamola has played a huge role in South Africa’s successful International Criminal Court of Justice case against the State of Israel.
The following is the list of Ramaphosa’s Executive Appointments.
Deputy President: Paul Mashatile.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture: Rosemary Nokuzola Capa.
Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development: Chupu Stanley Mathabatha.
Minister of Basic Education: Siviwe Gwarube.
Deputy Minister of Basic Education: Reginah Mhaule.
Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies: Solly Malatsi.
Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies: Mondli Gungubele.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Velinkosi Hlabisa.
Deputy Ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Dickson Masemola and Zolile Burns‐Ncamashe.
Deputy Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans: Bantu Holomisa and Richard Mkhungo.
Minister of Electricity and Energy: Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy: Samantha Graham.
Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation: Nomalungelo Gina.
Minister of Employment and Labour: Nomakhosazana Meth.
Deputy Ministers of Employment and Labour: Jomo Sibiya and Phumzile Mgcina.
Minister of Finance: Enoch Godongwana.
Deputy Ministers of Finance: David Masondo and Ashor Sarupen.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Dion George.
Deputy Ministers of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Narend Singh and Bernice Swarts.
Minister of Health: Aaron Motsoaledi.
Deputy Minister of Health: Joe Phaahla.
Minister of Higher Education: Nobuhle Nkabane.
Minister of Home Affairs: Leon Schreiber.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs: Njabulo Nzuza.
Minister of Human Settlements: Mmamoloko Kubayi.
Deputy Minister of Human Settlements: Tandi Mahambehlala.
Deputy Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation: Alvin Botes and Tandi Moraka.
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development: Andries Nel.
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources: Gwede Mantashe.
Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources: Judith Nemadzinga‐Tshabalala.
Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: Maropene Ramokgopa.
Deputy Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: Seiso Mohai.
Minister of Police: Senzo Mchunu.
Deputy Ministers of Police: Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale.
Minister in the Presidency: Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
Deputy Ministers in the Presidency: Nonceba Mhlauli and Kenneth Morolong.
Minister of Public Service and Administration: Mzamo Buthelezi.
Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration: Pinky Kekana.
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure: Dean Macpherson.
Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure: Sihle Zikalala.
Minister of Small Business Development: Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
Deputy Minister of Small Business Development: Jane Sithole.
Minister of Social Development: Sisisi Tolashe.
Deputy Minister of Social Development: Ganief Hendricks.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture: Gayton McKenzie.
Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture: Peace Mabe.
Minister of Tourism: Patricia De Lille.
Deputy Minister of Tourism: Maggie Sotyu.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition: Parks Tau.
Deputy Ministers of Trade, Industry and Competition: Zuko Godlimpi and Andrew Whitfield.
Minister of Transport: Barbara Creecy.
Deputy Minister of Transport: Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
Minister of Water and Sanitation: Pemmy Majodina.
Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation: David Mahlobo and Isaac Seitlholo.
Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities: Sindisiwe Chikunga.
Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities: Mmapaseka Steve Letsike.
The Minister of Correctional Services: Pieter Groenewald.
Deputy Minister of Correctional Services: Lindiwe Ntshalintshali.
Ramaphosa said the appointments reflect the diversity of the nation, and said they have a responsibility to work together to serve the people as a whole.
“None of the members of the National Executive has been appointed to serve the interests of a particular constituency, a particular party or a particular section of society.”
“Collectively and individually, they are responsible to the people of South Africa.
In the spirit of partnership and collaboration, the incoming government will work together with other formations to convene a National Dialogue,” he said.
He said through this National Dialogue, all parties, civil society groups, labour, business and other stakeholders will be invited to work together to address the critical challenges facing the nation.
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