President Cyril Ramaphosa last night announced a major cabinet shakeup wherein 22 changes were effected. David Mabuza emerged as the new deputy president of the country.
Mabuza will be officially appointed after being sworn in as an MP today.
The cabinet reshuffle saw the return of former finance ministers Pravin Gordhan and Nhlanhla Nene to the executive.
Gordhan is the new Minister of Public Enterprises while Nene returns to the Finance portfolio, from where he was unceremoniously booted out by former president Jacob Zuma in December 2015.
A total of 10 Gupta-linked ministers were dumped.
After a 90-minute delay, Ramaphosa finally addressed the media at 10.08pm to announce the changes.
New appointments include Bheki Cele, who was announced as the new Police Minister, Nomaindia Mfeketo as Human Settlements Minister and Gwede Mantashe, who replaces Mosebenzi Zwane at Mineral Resources.
Derek Hanekom also made a return to Tourism. Blade Nzimande was announced as the Transport Minister.
Other ministers were moved to new portfolios.
These include Nomvula Mokonyane to Communications, Jeff Radebe to Energy, Naledi Pandor to Higher Education and Training, Minister Malusi Gigaba back to Home Affairs, Lindiwe Sisulu to International Relations and Cooperation, Ayanda Dlodlo to Public Service and Administration, and Thulas Nxesi to Public Works.
Maite Nkoana-Mashabane takes over Rural Development and Land Reform, Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane goes to Science and Technology, Susan Shabangu to Social Development, Tokozile Xasa to Sport and Recreation, Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba to State Security, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Bathabile Dlamini to Women and Water and Sanitation will be led by Gugile Nkwinti.
Pending his swearing in as an MP, Zweli Mkhize will become the Minister of Cooperative Governance.
Ramaphosa said the changes intended “to ensure that national government is better equipped to implement the mandate of this administration and specifically the tasks identified in the State of the Nation Address”.
“In making these changes, I have been conscious of the need to balance continuity and stability with the need for renewal, economic recovery and accelerated transformation,” he said.
The ministers who lost their jobs are Fikile Mbalula, Hlengiwe Mkhize, David Mahlobo, Lynne Brown, Faith Muthambi, Des Van Rooyen, Nkosinathi Nhleko, Bongani Bongo, Joe Maswanganyi and Zwane.
Ramaphosa has been under immense public pressure since taking office just more than a week ago to dump controversial ministers.
These were the ministers marred by allegations of wrongdoing in their respective jobs, some blamed for having aided the capture and looting of SOEs by the Gupta family which was close to Zuma.
However, despite public sentiment, Dlamini and Gigaba survived the chop as they were instead moved to different departments.
The changes come after what has been dubbed the new dawn following the Ramaphosa takeover from the scandal-prone Zuma who was recalled. The president also announced that he would retain the number of existing ministries and departments until review of the size of the cabinet is concluded.
Many had called for the merger of certain departments such as social development and women; trade, industry and economic development; and Police and Correctional Services among others.
The ANC welcomed the changes, adding that they were done after the party’s top six officials and alliance partners had been consulted.
“Undoubtedly, this act of giving due regard to the resolutions of the ANC, in the exercise of the prerogative bestowed upon the President, lays a strong foundation for greater alignment and cooperation between the ANC and its cadres deployed in government,” said the governing party in a statement last night. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
CYRIL‘S DREAM TEAM
Mabuza will be officially appointed after being sworn in as an MP today.
The cabinet reshuffle saw the return of former finance ministers Pravin Gordhan and Nhlanhla Nene to the executive.
Gordhan is the new Minister of Public Enterprises while Nene returns to the Finance portfolio, from where he was unceremoniously booted out by former president Jacob Zuma in December 2015.
A total of 10 Gupta-linked ministers were dumped.
After a 90-minute delay, Ramaphosa finally addressed the media at 10.08pm to announce the changes.
New appointments include Bheki Cele, who was announced as the new Police Minister, Nomaindia Mfeketo as Human Settlements Minister and Gwede Mantashe, who replaces Mosebenzi Zwane at Mineral Resources.
Derek Hanekom also made a return to Tourism. Blade Nzimande was announced as the Transport Minister.
Other ministers were moved to new portfolios.
These include Nomvula Mokonyane to Communications, Jeff Radebe to Energy, Naledi Pandor to Higher Education and Training, Minister Malusi Gigaba back to Home Affairs, Lindiwe Sisulu to International Relations and Cooperation, Ayanda Dlodlo to Public Service and Administration, and Thulas Nxesi to Public Works.
Maite Nkoana-Mashabane takes over Rural Development and Land Reform, Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane goes to Science and Technology, Susan Shabangu to Social Development, Tokozile Xasa to Sport and Recreation, Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba to State Security, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Bathabile Dlamini to Women and Water and Sanitation will be led by Gugile Nkwinti.
Pending his swearing in as an MP, Zweli Mkhize will become the Minister of Cooperative Governance.
Ramaphosa said the changes intended “to ensure that national government is better equipped to implement the mandate of this administration and specifically the tasks identified in the State of the Nation Address”.
“In making these changes, I have been conscious of the need to balance continuity and stability with the need for renewal, economic recovery and accelerated transformation,” he said.
The ministers who lost their jobs are Fikile Mbalula, Hlengiwe Mkhize, David Mahlobo, Lynne Brown, Faith Muthambi, Des Van Rooyen, Nkosinathi Nhleko, Bongani Bongo, Joe Maswanganyi and Zwane.
Ramaphosa has been under immense public pressure since taking office just more than a week ago to dump controversial ministers.
These were the ministers marred by allegations of wrongdoing in their respective jobs, some blamed for having aided the capture and looting of SOEs by the Gupta family which was close to Zuma.
However, despite public sentiment, Dlamini and Gigaba survived the chop as they were instead moved to different departments.
The changes come after what has been dubbed the new dawn following the Ramaphosa takeover from the scandal-prone Zuma who was recalled. The president also announced that he would retain the number of existing ministries and departments until review of the size of the cabinet is concluded.
Many had called for the merger of certain departments such as social development and women; trade, industry and economic development; and Police and Correctional Services among others.
The ANC welcomed the changes, adding that they were done after the party’s top six officials and alliance partners had been consulted.
“Undoubtedly, this act of giving due regard to the resolutions of the ANC, in the exercise of the prerogative bestowed upon the President, lays a strong foundation for greater alignment and cooperation between the ANC and its cadres deployed in government,” said the governing party in a statement last night. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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