By: Natasha Archary
With SONA 2023 around the corner, the question on most South Africans lips is in relation to the Cabinet reshuffle, who’s in and who’s out?
President Cyril Ramaphosa may not be announcing his Cabinet reshuffle until after the State Of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, 09 February.
This according to Business Day who cite a reliable source indicating that Ramaphosa will only announce his new Cabinet a week or two after SONA 2023.
The President’s decision to delay the reshuffle announcement may have to do with his intention to not be seen to be tolerant of poor performances by his ministers.
Predicting the President’s possible moves, Independent Political Analyst, Khaya Sithole shared his opinion of what Ramaphosa’s Cabinet reshuffle priorities are likely to include.
“The main focus on the reshuffle will be on how the President deals with the civil war between Gwede Mantashe and Pravin Gordhan.
Mantashe’s view that he can manage Eskom better, has been bolstered by the conference resolution to dissolve the Ministry of Public Enterprises.
Whilst that may be done, it is not guaranteed that Eskom would be run by a Mantashe-led Ministry.
Rather, a compromise of splitting the Minerals and Energy portfolio into two discreet departments could be the political solution. That would then enable the President to honour the conference resolution of relocating Eskom but also keep it away from Mantashe’s control.”
Khaya Sithole, Independent Political Analyst shares his opinion on Ramaphosa’s possible cabinet reshuffle
According to Sithole, the second headache for Ramaphosa is in relation to senior Cabinet members who are no longer in the National Executive Committee (NEC).
New NEC members would expect to be prioritised for Cabinet positions rather than b overlooked in favour of non-NEC members.
This would unfortunately affect the bulk of Ramaphosa’s senior Cabinet members, namely Naledi Pandor, Pravin Gordhan, Blade Nzimande and others.
How the President balances the Cabinet experience based on NEC rankings is not going to be an easy task.
Lastly, Ramaphosa will want to address the rebels within Cabinet, especially those who voted against the party with regards to the Section 89 panel report on Phala Phala.
“Leaving them untouched will invite mutiny within the party, so he has to act even if he does not eliminate them from Cabinet altogether.”
Also read: SONA 2023: Loadshedding “arrangement” between Eskom, and parliament reached



