President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the nation at 21:00 tonight, unveiling the much-anticipated new Cabinet for his Government of National Unity (GNU).
UPDATE: President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national address has been rescheduled for 22:00 tonight. Bookmark this page and return to it minutes before the live stream kicks off.
Watch live: Ramaphosa announces GNU Cabinet
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The announcement will be broadcast live on competing news channels, allowing South Africans to witness the formation of the seventh democratic administration, which includes a coalition of diverse political parties.
This event marks a significant milestone as it is the first coalition government since Nelson Mandela’s administration in 1994.
Ramaphosa’s address follows successful negotiations with various political parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), which secured several key ministerial and deputy ministerial positions.
These include ministries such as:
- Home Affairs;
- Basic Education;
- Agriculture;
- Public Works and Infrastructure;
- Communications and Digital Technologies; and
- Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment.
Deputy ministerial positions include:
- Finance;
- Energy and Electricity;
- Small Business Development;
- Water and Sanitation;
- Higher Education; and
- the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition.
What to expect from the ‘family meeting’
Tonight’s address, colloquially referred to as a ‘family meeting,’ is expected to provide clarity on the new Cabinet’s composition and the future direction of South Africa’s government.
The formation of the GNU comes after the ANC’s poor performance in the national and provincial elections on 29 May 2024, prompting Ramaphosa to seek alliances with other political parties to form a stable government.
Ramaphosa’s re-election as state president on 15 June 2024, where he secured 283 votes against EFF leader Julius Malema’s 44, set the stage for these coalition negotiations.
The GNU aims to bring together 10 political parties: ANC, DA, Patriotic Alliance, GOOD, Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi, PAC, UDM, IFP, and the FF Plus.
Negotiations for the GNU have been challenging, with delays, leaked correspondence, and late-night meetings.
A critical meeting between Ramaphosa and DA leader John Steenhuisen on Friday led to a breakthrough, allowing for the finalisation of the Cabinet positions and setting the stage for tonight’s announcement.
The new Cabinet will be tasked with addressing pressing issues such as economic recovery, infrastructure development, and improving public services.