President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the new Cabinet for the Government of National Unity (GNU) on Sunday, marking a watershed moment in South African politics.
Ramaphosa’s GNU Cabinet unveiled: Here’s what you must know
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This historic announcement, made during a televised address at 21:00, revealed a coalition government comprising multiple political parties.
The new Cabinet is seen as a response to the ANC’s poor performance in the recent national elections and represents a concerted effort to stabilize the political landscape.
The GNU Cabinet includes a mix of veteran politicians and new faces.
Key appointments include Paul Mashatile as Deputy President, John Steenhuisen as Minister of Agriculture, and Angie Motshekga as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans.
The announcement followed intense negotiations between the ANC and various other political parties, resulting in a diverse and inclusive government structure.
Here is the complete list of the GNU Cabinet appointments:
- 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
Five things to know about the new Minister of Police
Senzo Mchunu has been appointed as the new Minister of Police, replacing a depleted Bheki Cele whose tenure was marred with harsh criticisms over his sustained failure to address rampant crime in South Africa.
Mchunu, a seasoned politician with a background in education and governance, brings extensive experience to this crucial role.
Here are five key points about him:
- Political Career: Mchunu served as the Minister of Public Service and Administration and as the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. He has been a member of the ANC National Executive Committee since 2017.
- Education Background: He holds a Bachelor of Arts in education and international relations from the University of South Africa and has a strong background in teaching.
- Leadership Roles: Mchunu was the inaugural Provincial Secretary of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal and later the Provincial Chairperson.
- Governance Experience: He has chaired various committees in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature and served as the MEC for Education.
- Political Alignment: Initially aligned with Jacob Zuma, Mchunu has been a supporter of Cyril Ramaphosa since 2016, reflecting his adaptability and strategic acumen.
Reactions to Angie Motshekga taking over Defence Ministry
Angie Motshekga’s appointment as the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans has sparked varied reactions. Social media has seen a mix of surprise and scepticism, with some questioning her lack of military experience.
The general consensus highlights concerns about her transition from education to defence, with some arguing that this move spotlights a broader trend of political appointments not always aligning with professional backgrounds.
Here are some of the reactions we picked: