Ramaphosa Makes History with Equal Gender New Trimmed Cabinet for South Africa

PRETORIA – South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has retained Tito Mboweni as finance minister and David Mabuza as deputy president on Wednesday as he appointed a new, smaller cabinet that consists of an equal number of men and women for the first time in SA history.

Ramaphosa said the cabinet will have 28 ministers, down from 36.

To achieve this, the following portfolios have been combined:

• Trade and Industry is combined with Economic Development
• Higher Education and Training is combined with Science and Technology
• Environmental Affairs is combined with Forestry and Fisheries
• Agriculture is combined with Land Reform and Rural Development
• Mineral Resources is combined with Energy
• Human Settlements is combined with Water and Sanitation
• Sports and Recreation is combined with Arts and Culture

The portfolios of Communications and Telecommunications and Postal Services had already been combined.

Responsibility for infrastructure is being added to thePublic Works portfolio and responsibility for employment added to the Labour portfolio.

Ramaphosa said: “The people who I am appointing today must realise that the expectations of the South African people have never been greater and that they will shoulder a great responsibility.

“Their performance – individually and collectively – will be closely monitored against specific outcomes. Where implementation is unsatisfactory, action will be taken.”

South Africa’s new National Executive is:

• The Deputy President is David Mabuza.
• The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is Thoko Didiza.
• The Deputy Ministers are Sdumo Dlamini and Mcebisi Skwatsha.
• The Minister of Basic Education is Angie Motshekga.
• The Deputy Minister is Dr Regina Mhaule.
• The Minister of Communications is Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
• The Deputy Minister is Pinky Kekana.
• The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
• The Deputy Ministers are Parks Tau and Obed Bapela.
• The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
• The Deputy Minister is Thabang Makwetla.
• The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheriesis Barbara Creecy.
• The Deputy Minister is Maggie Sotyu.
• The Minister of Employment and Labour is Thulas Nxesi.
• The Deputy Minister is Boitumelo Moloi.
• The Minister of Finance is Tito Mboweni.
• The Deputy Minister is Dr David Masondo.
• The Minister of Health is Dr Zwelini Mkhize.
• The Deputy Minister is Dr Joe Phaahla.
• The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology is Dr Blade Nzimande.
• The Deputy Minister is Buti Manamela.
• The Minister of Home Affairs is Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
• The Deputy Minister is Njabulo Nzuza.
• The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation is Lindiwe Sisulu.
• The Deputy Ministers are Pam Tshwete and David Mahlobo.
• The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is Dr Naledi Pandor.
• The Deputy Ministers are Alvin Botes and Candith Mashego-Dlamini.
• The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services is Ronald Lamola.
• The Deputy Ministers are John Jeffery and Inkosi Phathekile Holomisa.
• The M inister of Mineral Resources and Energy is Gwede Mantashe.
• The Deputy Minister is Bavelile Hlongwa.
• The Minister of Police is General Bheki Cele.
• The Deputy Minister is Cassel Mathale.
• The Minister in the Presidency is Jackson Mthembu.
• The Deputy Minister in the Presidency is Thembi Siweya.
• The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
• The Deputy Minister is Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize.
• The Minister of Public Enterprises is Pravin Gordhan.
• The Deputy Minister is Phumulo Masualle.
• The Minister of Public Service and Administration is Senzo Mchunu.
• The Deputy Minister is Sindy Chikunga.
• The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is Patricia De Lille.
• The Deputy Minister is Noxolo Kiviet.
• The Minister of Small Business Development is Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
• The Deputy Minister is Rosemary Capa.
• The Minister of Social Development is Lindiwe Zulu.
• The Deputy Minister is Henrietta Bogopane-Zulu.
• The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture is Nathi Mthethwa.
• The Deputy Minister is Nocawe Mafu.
• The Minister of State Security is Ayanda Dlodlo.
• The Deputy Minister is Zizi Kodwa.
• The Minister of Tourism is Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane.
• The Deputy Minister is Fish Mahlalela.
• The Minister of Trade and Industry is Ebrahim Patel.
• The Deputy Ministers are Fikile Majola and Nomalungelo Gina.
• The Minister of Transport is Fikile Mbalula.
• The Deputy Minister is Dikeledi Magadzi.

“For the first time in the history of our country, half of all Ministers are women,” announced Ramaphosa.

“We have also included a significant number of young people.

“This is in fulfillment of our commitment to giving young people roles of responsibility in all sectors of society.

“This is part of a generational transition in which we are creating a pipeline of leaders to take our country further into the future.”

Sources: Reuters and SANews.gov.za