Mashatile named deputy president, DA’s Steenhuisen named agriculture minister as Ramaphosa announces cabinet members

The President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced the composition of the National Executive Committee of the 7th Administration of the Democratic Republic of South Africa, with Paul Mashatile as vice-president and John Steenhuisen from the Democratic Alliance as Minister of Agriculture. Meanwhile, Patricia de Lille retained her position as tourism minister.

In a television programme on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa announced which political parties had signed an agreement to form a Government of National Unity, as the African National Congress (ANC) failed to win a majority in the country’s May elections for the first time in 30 years.

Ramaphosa said: “To implement this mandate, it was agreed that a Government of National Unity should be formed, bringing together parties from across the political spectrum. This Government of National Unity would be bound by fundamental principles and would implement the bare minimum of priority programs that impact the lives of South Africans.

“Following discussions over the past few weeks, a total of eleven parties have decided to work together in government and parliament. These are; African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Good Party, Pan African Congress of Azania, Freedom Front Plus, United Democratic Movement, Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi and United African Transformation.”

The President then said: “Tonight I am pleased to announce the composition of our country’s executive branch, which will bear the collective responsibility for implementing the will of the people of South Africa.

“In this regard, the following appointments will be made to management positions.

“The vice president is Paul Mashantile. The Minister of Agriculture is John Steenhuisen.”

The other ministers are: Minister of Agrarian Reform and Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso; Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube; Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi; Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa; Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga; Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Blade Nzimande; Minister of Employment and Labor, Nomakhosazana Meth; Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

Others include: Minister of the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Dion George; Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi; Minister of Higher Education Nobuhle Nkabane; Minister of the Interior Leon Schreiber; Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi; Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola; Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Thandi Nkadimeng; Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald; Minister of Mineral Resources and Petroleum Gwede Mantashe; Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu; Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson.

Also mentioned: Minister of Small Business Development – Stella Ndabeni, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture – Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Tourism – Patricia de Lille, Minister of Transport – Barbara Creecy, Minister of Water and Sanitation – Pemma Majodin and others.

Ramaphosa then revealed: “Given the challenges our country faces today, and given the electoral mandate that this government must implement, my point is that we must work hard to ensure that we achieve all the goals that we have set. And with this in mind, I have decided to make a number of changes to government portfolios.

“During the sixth term, I signaled my intention to reduce the number of portfolios on the National Board. However, due to the need to ensure inclusiveness in the National Executive Committee of all parties included in the Government of National Unity, this was not possible. In some cases, we have found it necessary to separate certain portfolios to ensure sufficient focus on key issues.

“The Ministries of Electricity and Energy will now be merged. A separate Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources will be established. The Ministry of Agriculture will be separated from the Ministry of Land, Rural Reform and Development. The Ministry of Higher Education will be separated from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development will be separated from the Ministry of Prison Service. There will no longer be a Ministry of Public Enterprises, and the coordination of relevant public enterprises will be the responsibility of the Presidency in the implementation of the new shareholders’ order. However, different key institutions will report to different ministries on quality measures.

“The formation of the Government of National Unity in its current form is an unprecedented event in our democratic history,” Ramaphosa said, explaining that his government had to take into account various factors that would help form the government in the best possible way to establish the stability of the country as well as build the South African nation.

He then concluded: “In the spirit of partnership and cooperation, the new government will work with other formations to convene what we talked about a few days ago, the National Dialogue. Through this national dialogue, all parties, civil society groups, Labor, business and other stakeholders will be invited to work together to address the critical challenges facing our nation. We call on all South African citizens to participate in the National Dialogue and support the Government of National Unity.”

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi