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Pretoria, South Africa | AFP | South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a sweeping reshuffle Monday that saw Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma named Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. She is one of up to 12 women ministers named in the cabinet reshuffle (making 45% of ministers and deputy ministers).
Dlamini-Zuma is the former AU chair who contested for the presidency of the African National Congress. She is the ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma.
Ramaphosa, who took office 11 days ago, announced the reshuffle that included re-appointing Nhlanhla Nene, who was sacked by Jacob Zuma, as finance minister. He announced 30 changes to minister and deputy minister positions after graft-tainted Zuma was forced to resign by the ruling ANC party earlier this month.
“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,” Ramaphosa stated as he stamped his mark on the presidency by announcing Nene’s re-appointment, with David Mabuza, the current premier of Mpumalanga province, named as the deputy president.
“All the new ministers and deputies will be sworn in tomorrow in Cape Town. The others will be sworn in on other days during the week once they fulfill in the parliamentary requirements,” said Ramaphosa.
Dlamini-Zuma was seen as Zuma’s favoured candidate to succeed him as president, with analysts saying she may have shielded him from prosecution over corruption charges.
Nene’s return to the finance ministry was a clear repudiation of Zuma’s reign, and will be warmly welcomed by many businesses and international investors.
In December 2015, Zuma sacked the widely-respected Nene and replaced him with a little-known lawmaker, triggering panic among investors and a sharp drop in the rand currency.
Just four days later, Pravin Gordhan was appointed to the role to calm the markets.
– Corruption allegations –
The chaos was seen as reflecting Zuma’s failure to implement a consistent economic policy — and a sign of the allegedly corrupt influence of the Gupta business family, who were reported to oppose Nene.
“A business-friendly cabinet reshuffle is counter-balanced by the retention of Zuma-era appointees,” economic analyst Daniel Silke said on Twitter, describing it as “a partial cleansing of the Zuma-era rot.”
“Ramaphosa’s narrow December victory prevents a reshuffle many South Africans would’ve preferred,” he added.
During Zuma’s nine-year tenure, South Africa grappled with weak growth, ballooning national debt, depressed investor confidence and record unemployment.
Ramaphosa has pledged “a new dawn” for the country and to tackle the corruption that Zuma is accused of fostering.
Amid falling popularity with voters, the African National Congress (ANC) party — which was led to power in 1994 by Nelson Mandela — had threatened to oust Zuma via a no-confidence vote in parliament.
Zuma resigned reluctantly, complaining he had received “very unfair” treatment from the party.
– Dangerous deputy? –
Mabuza’s appointment as deputy president is likely to stir controversy due to his reputation as a tough hardliner and accusations of links to political violence.
The opposition Democratic Alliance party said Ramaphosa choosing Mabuza “undermines the integrity of his stated commitment to fight corruption and rebuild from the tatters of the Zuma decade.”
Mabuza “has been accused of having his own personal ‘military’ which have allegedly been responsible for numerous political killings”, the DA added.
Ramaphosa, 65, is a former trade unionist who led talks to end apartheid in the early 1990s and then became a multi-millionaire businessman before returning to politics.
The Guptas are accused of receiving hugely favourable government deals and even influencing cabinet appointments under Zuma.
At least one of the three Guptas brothers is now being sought by police.
The changes:
- Communications: Ms Nomvula Mokonyane
- Energy: Mr Jeff Radebe
- Higher Education and Training: Ms Naledi Pandor
- Home Affairs: Mr Malusi Gigaba
- Human Settlements: Ms Nomaindia Mfeketo
- International Relations and Cooperation: Ms Lindiwe Sisulu
- Mineral Resources: Mr Gwede Mantashe
- Police: Mr Bheki Cele
- Public Enterprises: Mr Pravin Gordhan
- Public Service and Administration: Ms Ayanda Dlodlo
- Public Works: Mr Thulas Nxesi
- Rural Development and Land Reform: Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
- Science and Technology: Ms Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane
- Social Development: Ms Susan Shabangu
- Sport and Recreation: Ms Tokozile Xasa
- State Security: Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba
- The Presidency: Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
- The Presidency: Women: Ms Bathabile Dlamini
- Tourism: Mr Derek Hanekom
- Transport: Dr Blade Nzimande
- Water and Sanitation: Mr Gugile Nkwinti
Changes among the Deputy Ministers:
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Mr Sfiso Buthelezi
- Communications: Ms Pinky Kekana
- Finance: Mr Mondli Gungubele
- Public Service and Administration: Dr Chana Pilane-Majeke
- Small Business Development: Mr Cassel Mathale
The positions of Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises and Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation will remain vacant.
Pending the completion of their swearing-in as Members of the National Assembly,:
- Mr David Mabuza as the Deputy President of the Republic
- Dr Zweli Mkhize as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
- Mr Nhlanhla Nene as Minister of Finance
- Ms Reginah Mhaule as Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
