By Phenyo Selinda
His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has expressed his support for the newly announced cabinet by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday. The King praised the new cabinet for its reflection of “stability, continuity, and unity.” Highlighting the importance of prioritising national interests over political differences, His Majesty commended all leaders committed to moving South Africa forward through the Government of National Unity (GNU). The King also voiced his confidence that pressing issues concerning Amakhosi and land reform would feature prominently on the new Cabinet’s agenda.
President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed the National Executive’s new line-up for South Africa’s seventh administration on Sunday, 30 June 2024. This inclusive coalition government includes representatives from the eleven parties forming the GNU.
The announcement comes in the wake of Ramaphosa’s election as President by the National Assembly on Friday, 14 June 2024, followed by his formal inauguration on Wednesday, 19 June 2024.
Inclusive Government: A Multilateral Approach
The broad coalition comprises the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Patriotic Alliance (PA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Good Party (GP), Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), United Democratic Movement (UDM), Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi, and United Africans Transformation (UAT).
Speaking from the Union Buildings in Pretoria, President Ramaphosa emphasised the need for an inclusive government to tackle South Africa’s challenges in line with the national electoral mandate.
“In the course of the sixth democratic administration, we indicated our intention to reduce the number of portfolios in the National Executive. However, due to the need to ensure that the National Executive is inclusive of all the parties to the Government of National Unity, this has not been possible,” stated Ramaphosa.
Adjustments to Government Portfolios
Highlighting the administration’s strategic focus, President Ramaphosa announced key changes and restructuring to address national priorities more effectively.
“The Ministries of Electricity and Energy will be merged,” he revealed. “A separate Ministry of Mineral and Petroleum Resources will be established. The Ministry of Agriculture will be split from the Ministry of Land Reform and Rural Development, ensuring focused attention.”
Further separations include:
- The Ministry of Higher Education from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
- The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development from the Ministry of Correctional Services.
Additionally, the Ministry of Public Enterprises will be dissolved, with its functions absorbed by the Presidency, which will coordinate public enterprises under a new shareholder model.
Key Appointments in the National Executive
The President announced the following appointments to the National Executive:
- Deputy President: Paul Mashatile
- Minister of Agriculture: John Steenhuisen
- Deputy Minister of Agriculture: Rosemary Nokuzola Capa
- Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development: Mzwanele Nyhontso
- Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development: Chupu Stanley Mathabatha
- Minister of Basic Education: Siviwe Gwarube
- Deputy Minister of Basic Education: Reginah Mhaule
- Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies: Solly Malatsi
- Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies: Mondli Gungubele
- Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Velinkosi Hlabisa
- Deputy Ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Dickson Masemola and Zolile Burns‐Ncamashe
- Minister of Defence and Military Veterans: Angie Motshekga
- Deputy Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans: Bantu Holomisa and Richard Mkhungo
- Minister of Electricity and Energy: Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
- Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy: Samantha Graham
- Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation: Blade Nzimande
- Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation: Nomalungelo Gina
- Minister of Employment and Labour: Nomakhosazana Meth
- Deputy Ministers of Employment and Labour: Jomo Sibiya and Phumzile Mgcina
- Minister of Finance: Enoch Godongwana
- Deputy Ministers of Finance: David Masondo and Ashor Sarupen
- Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Dion George
- Deputy Ministers of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Narend Singh and Bernice Swarts
- Minister of Health: Aaron Motsoaledi
- Deputy Minister of Health: Joe Phaahla
- Minister of Higher Education: Nobuhle Nkabane
- Deputy Ministers of Higher Education: Buti Manamela and Mimmy Gondwe
- Minister of Home Affairs: Leon Schreiber
- Deputy Minister of Home Affairs: Njabulo Nzuza
- Minister of Human Settlements: Mmamoloko Kubayi
- Deputy Minister of Human Settlements: Tandi Mahambehlala
- Minister of International Relations and Cooperation: Ronald Lamola
- Deputy Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation: Alvin Botes and Tandi Moraka
- Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development: Thembi Nkadimeng
- Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development: Andries Nel
- Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources: Gwede Mantashe
- Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources: Judith Nemadzinga‐Tshabalala
- Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: Maropene Ramokgopa
- Deputy Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: Seiso Mohai
- Minister of Police: Senzo Mchunu
- Deputy Ministers of Police: Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale
- Minister in the Presidency: Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
- Deputy Ministers in the Presidency: Nonceba Mhlauli and Kenneth Morolong
- Minister of Public Service and Administration: Mzamo Buthelezi
- Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration: Pinky Kekana
- Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure: Dean Macpherson
- Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure: Sihle Zikalala
- Minister of Small Business Development: Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams
- Deputy Minister of Small Business Development: Jane Sithole
- Minister of Social Development: Sisisi Tolashe
- Deputy Minister of Social Development: Ganief Hendricks
- Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture: Gayton McKenzie
- Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture: Peace Mabe
- Minister of Tourism: Patricia De Lille
- Deputy Minister of Tourism: Maggie Sotyu
- Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition: Parks Tau
- Deputy Ministers of Trade, Industry and Competition: Zuko Godlimpi and Andrew Whitfield
- Minister of Transport: Barbara Creecy
- Deputy Minister of Transport: Mkhuleko Hlengwa
- Minister of Water and Sanitation: Pemmy Majodina
- Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation: David Mahlobo and Isaac Seitlholo
- Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities: Sindisiwe Chikunga
- Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities: Mmapaseka Steve Letsike
- Minister of Correctional Services: Pieter Groenewald
- Deputy Minister of Correctional Services: Lindiwe Ntshalintshali
During the announcement, President Ramaphosa appointed 33 ministers to represent the parties within the GNU. Although Cosatu criticised the number of deputy ministers, Ramaphosa justified the expanded cabinet to ensure inclusivity and focus on key national issues.
Political Reactions and Criticisms
Herman Mashaba, President of ActionSA, sharply criticised the new cabinet as “bloated and compromised,” suggesting it reflects poorly on the government’s reform prospects. He also condemned the retention of cabinet members accused of malpractice, including Paul Mashatile as Deputy President.
“We are concerned about retaining individuals involved in corrupt activities. Despite months of reporting on Paul Mashatile’s corrupt activities, he was again included as Deputy President,” Mashaba stated.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also issued a statement on Sunday, 30 June 2024, denouncing the new cabinet as an “ANC-DA” coalition, masking as a GNU to secure an ANC-DA grand coalition.
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