By: Natasha Archary
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced changes to the National Executive on Monday, 06 March, but this year’s cabinet reshuffle failed to impress.
With a lack of changes to a number of departments, a number of opposition parties and civil organisations have criticised Ramaphosa’s lacklustre reshuffle.
The President announced that he has appointed Paul Mashatile as Deputy President of the Republic.
Leaving the Minister of Police untouched was perhaps the biggest shock for South Africans who are hard done by crime in the country.
Even with Bheki Cele’s failings as Police Minister, with crime and murder spiralling out of control, the President chose to leave Cele in charge of his portfolio.
Despite predictions that Minister of Public Enterprise, Pravin Gordhan and Minister of Energy, Gwede Mantashe would be moved, they both remain.
According to Ramaphosa both Ministers will now work in unison with new Minister of Electricity, Sputla Ramokgopa.
Ramokgopa will maintain the Minister of Electricity title until the energy crisis in the country is resolved.
Other Ministers who remain untouched include:
- Basic Education Minister – Angie Motshekga
- Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister – Blade Nzimande
- Minister of Labour – Thulas Nxesi
- Trade and Industry – Ebrahim Patel
- Finance Minister – Enoch Godongwana
Changes to the Ministers in the Cabinet reshuffle are as follows:
- Minister in the Presidency – Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
- Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities – Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
- Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms Maropene Ramokgopa,
- Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa,
- Communications and Digital Technologies, Mr Mondli Gungubele,
- Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Ms Thembi Nkadimeng,
- Public Service and Administration, Ms Noxolo Kiviet,
- Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Sihle Zikalala,
- Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Zizi Kodwa,
- Tourism, Ms Patricia de Lille,
- Transport, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga
The President made the following appointments with respect to Deputy Ministers:
- Deputy Ministers in the Presidency, Ms Nomasonto Motaung and Mr Kenneth Morolong,
- Deputy Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Sisisi Tolashe,
- Deputy Minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms Pinky Kekana,
- Two Deputy Ministers for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Parks Tau and Mr Zolile Burns-Ncamashe,
- Two Deputy Ministers for Water and Sanitation, Mr David Mahlobo and Ms Judith Tshabalala,
- Deputy Minister of Public Works, Ms Bernice Swarts,
- Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Dipuo Peters,
- Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Obed Bapela,
- Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Lisa Mangcu
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