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South Africans react to De Lille’s appointment to Ramaphosa’s cabinet

Village Reporter

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Ramaphosa’s cabinet will serve as an early barometer of his ability to push through change more efficiently, having struggled to implement tough reforms since he succeeded scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma last year.

His long to-do list includes generating jobs, acting against entrenched corruption in and outside the ANC, resolving policy uncertainty in the mining sector and speeding up reforms of power utility Eskom and other state-owned entities.

According to Reuters news agency, markets are likely to welcome the reappointment of Mboweni, a former central bank governor who is well respected by investors, while investors will also scrutinise Ramaphosa’s decision to retain David Mabuza as deputy president.

Reactions to cabinet

South Africans took to social media to react to the announcement of the cabinet, with many congratulating GOOD’s Patricia De Lille.

The former Cape Town mayor quit the opposition Democratic Alliance party last year, and formed the GOOD party to contest the national elections.

Having won two seats in the National Assembly, De Lille has bow been appointed Public Works and Infrastructure minister.

Gender-parity cabinet

Ramaphosa announced an inclusive cabinet that he said made history as the first with 50% female appointees.

The president also said age had been considered to enable the government that reflects the youthful nature of South Africa’s populace.

Ramaphosa retained Tito Mboweni as finance minister and David Mabuza as deputy president.

Ramaphosa kept on Pravin Gordhan as public enterprises minister. The ministry oversees state-owned companies including Eskom. The management of Eskom’s restructuring is key to reviving the economy after power cuts in the past year undermined broader efforts to kick-start growth.

The president also appointed Gwedwe Mantashe as mining and energy minister after combining the two ministries. Mantashe previously headed the mining ministry. Naledi Pandor, previously higher education minister, was appointed as foreign affairs minister.

  • Angie Motshekga , Minister of Basic Education
  • Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Communications minister
  • Thulas Nxesi , Minister of Employment and Labour
  • Ronald Lamola, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister
  • Patricia De Lille of the GOOD party, Public Works and Infrastructure minister
  • Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
  • Barbara Creecy, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
  • Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs
  • Zwelini Mkhize, Minister of Health
  • Nkozasana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs
  • Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development

Ramaphosa’s reconfigured govt

South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa says ministries have been merged to reduce portfolios from 36 to 28, as part of his pledge to have a lean and efficient government.

“It is critical that the structure and size of the state is optimally suited to meet the needs of the people and ensure the most efficient allocation of public resources.”

Some of the merged ministries include;

  • Higher Education + Science & Technology
  • Trade & Industry + Economic Development
  • Land Reform + Agriculture and Rural development
  • Human Settlements + Water and Sanitation
  • Arts, Culture + Sports and Recreation

SUGGESTED READING: South Africa’s Ramaphosa pledges leaner cabinet ahead of election

Consultations before announcement

South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa is still holding consultative meetings ahead of a much anticipated announcement of his cabinet on Wednesday evening.

The presidency had said Ramaphosa would announce a new cabinet at 8:00 p.m. local time (1800 GMT), two weeks after the ANC saw its majority cut in national elections.

Ramaphosa’s narrow victory in an ANC leadership election in late 2017, when he replaced scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma, is seen as continuing to constrain his ability to push through reforms as factions inside the party jostle for influence.

Ramaphosa is expected to announce a smaller cabinet, with several appointments, notably to the finance, energy and mining ministries and the deputy presidency — likely to be closely scrutinised.

REUTERS

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