President Jacob Zuma announced yesterday his new Cabinet, appointing the country’s first black finance minister. Nhlanhla Nene replaces Pravin Gordhan, who has been moved to cooperative governance. As expected, Cyril Ramaphosa will be the deputy president. Zuma, in making the announcement, created several new ministries.
“We have established a ministry of telecommunications and postal services,” Zuma said while making his Cabinet announcement. “Our country has a fast growing telecommunications sector which in 2012 was estimated at being worth R180bn.” The aim of the new ministry was to get more value out of the telecommunications sector, he said. The communications department had been reconfigured to include more functions. “We have established a new communications ministry which will be responsible for overarching communication policy and strategy, information dissemination and publicity, as well as the branding of the country abroad,” Zuma announced. “This ministry will be formed out of the following components: the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, the SA Broadcasting Corporation, Government Communication and Information Systems, Brand SA and the Media Development and Diversity Agency.”
The National Planning Commission and the ministry of performance, monitoring and evaluation will be merged. “This ministry will also continue to be responsible for youth development.” Justice and correctional services will be headed by Michael Masutha. The women’s ministry will be headed by Susan Shabangu, while former minister Lulu Xingwana has lost out on a position in Zuma’s latest Cabinet.
Here are the ministers as announced by Zuma, clearly hand-picked rather by loyalty criteria than skills and abilities:
* Deputy president – Cyril Ramaphosa
* Minister in the Presidency – Jeff Radebe
* Telecommunications and Postal Services – Siyabonga Cwele
* Women’s Ministry – Susan Shabangu
* Justice and Correctional Services – Michael Masutha
* Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries – Senzeni Zogwana (previously Tina Joematt-Petterson)
* Arts and Culture – Nathi Mthethwa (previously Paul Mashatile)
* Basic Education – Angie Motshekga
* Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs – Pravin Gordhan (previously Lechesa Tsenoli)
* Defence and Military Veterans – Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
* Economic Development – Ebrahim Patel
* Energy – Tina Joematt-Petterson (previously Ben Martins)
* Finance – Nhlanhla Nene (previously Pravin Gordhan)
* Health – Aaron Motsoaledi
* Higher Education and Training – Blade Nzimande
* Home Affairs – Malusi Gigaba (previously Naledi Pandor)
* Human Settlements – Lindiwe Sisulu (previously Connie September)
* International Relations and Cooperation – Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
* Labour – Mildred Oliphant
* Mineral Resources – Ngoako Ramahlodi (previously Susan Shabangu)
* Police – Nkosinathi Thlepo (previously Nathi Mthethwa)
* Public Enterprises – Lyn Brown (previously Malusi Gigaba)
* Public Service and Administration – Collins Chabane (previously Lindiwe Sisulu)
* Public Works – Thulas Nxesi
* Rural Development and Land Reform – Gugile Nkwinti
* Science and Technology – Naledi Pandor (previously Derek Hanekom)
* Sport and Recreation – Fikile Mbalula
* State Security – David Mahlokwa
* Tourism – Derek Hanekom (previously Marthinus van Schalkwyk)
* Trade and Industry – Rob Davies
* Transport – Dipuo Peters
* Water and Environmental Affairs – Nomvula Mokonyane (previously Edna Molewa)