Some new faces brought in, a few moved from one portfolio to the other and some thanked and let go from the country’s Cabinet on Monday night.

This as South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, reshuffled Cabinet in what was largely an expectation when he took office to complete the remaining year of the five-year term after former President, Jacob Zuma, was recalled by the governing party and resigned.

“These changes are intended to ensure that national government is better equipped to implement the mandate of this administration and specifically the tasks identified in the State of the Nation Address,”

Ramaphosa said in a national address televised live.

“In making these changes, I have been conscious of the need to balance continuity and stability with the need for renewal, economic recovery and accelerated transformation,” he said.

The President said as indicated in his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA), he has begun a review of the configuration, size and number of national ministries and departments.

He added that he would retain the existing ministries and departments until that review is completed.
Ramaphosa’s new appointments are as follows:

• Communications: Nomvula Mokonyane
• Energy: Jeff Radebe
• Higher Education and Training: Naledi Pandor
• Home Affairs: Malusi Gigaba
• Human Settlements: Nomaindia Mfeketo
• International Relations and Co-operation: Lindiwe Sisulu
• Mineral Resources: Gwede Mantashe
• Police: Bheki Cele
• Public Enterprises: Pravin Gordhan
• Public Service and Administration: Ayanda Dlodlo
• Public Works: Thulas Nxesi
• Rural Development and Land Reform: Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
• Science and Technology: Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane
• Social Development: Susan Shabangu
• Sport and Recreation: Tokozile Xasa
• State Security: Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba
• The Presidency: Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
• The Presidency: Women: Bathabile Dlamini
• Tourism: Derek Hanekom
• Transport: Blade Nzimande
• Water and Sanitation: Gugile Nkwinti

Ramaphosa added that he made the following changes on Deputy Ministers’ positions.

• Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Sfiso Buthelezi
• Communications: Pinky Kekana
• Finance: Mondli Gungubele
• Public Service and Administration: Dr Chana Pilane-Majeke
• Small Business Development: Cassel Mathale.

He said the positions of Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises and Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation will remain vacant.

South Africa is also getting a Deputy President after a week without one, and it’s none other than Ramaphosa’s deputy in the African National Congress (ANC), David Mabuza.

“Pending the completion of their swearing-in as Members of the National Assembly, I intend to further appoint David Mabuza as the Deputy President of the Republic and Dr Zweli Mkhize as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Nhlanhla Nene will be Minister of Finance, while Reginah Mhaule will be Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation,” said Ramaphosa.

He retained the following ministers in their positions: Lindiwe Zulu in Small Business Development, Senzeni Zokwana in Agriculture, Ebrahim Patel in Economic Development, Rob Davies in Trade and Industry, Aaron Motsoaledi in Health, Michael Masutha in Justice and Correctional Services and Mildred Oliphant in Labour.

The new Ministers and Deputy Ministers will be sworn in in Cape Town on Tuesday and those who are unavailable on the day would be sworn in sometime this week, Ramaphosa said.

Source: http://www.semphetenews.co.za