President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a new, inclusive cabinet for the national unity government, unveiling various ministers from various political backgrounds.
The new cabinet includes Angie Motshekga as the Minister of Defence, Gayton McKenzie as the Minister of Sports, and John Steenhuisen as the Minister of Agriculture. This reshuffle fosters nation-building and brings fresh perspectives to South Africa’s governance.
Among the notable appointments, the inclusion of John Steenhuisen as the Minister of Agriculture has raised eyebrows. Steenhuisen, who was previously eyeing the deputy president’s position, enters the government for the first time.
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His assignment to agriculture is seen as a strategic move within the new cabinet setup. Paul Mashatile continues his role as the Deputy President, maintaining stability within the top echelons of leadership.
The new national executive, constituting the seventh administration as a government of national unity, includes ministers from a variety of political parties.
Eleven ministers and ten deputy ministers in the new cabinet are not from the African National Congress (ANC), showcasing a broad representation that reflects the outcome of the national and provincial elections held on 29 May.
This inclusive approach is expected to enhance collaborative governance and ensure that multiple viewpoints are considered in decision-making processes.
President Ramaphosa unveiled the new cabinet at the Union Buildings on Sunday night, emphasizing a renewed focus on nation-building.
The cabinet shuffle promotes several new faces and assigns more than half a dozen ministers to new roles, including new ministers of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (CoGTA) and employment and labour.
This dynamic restructuring is designed to address pressing national issues and drive the country towards a prosperous future.
New Ministers
- Minister of Agriculture: John Steenhuisen (DA)
- Minister of Basic Education: Siviwe Gwarube (DA)
- Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure: Dean Macpherson (DA)
- Minister of Home Affairs: Leon Schreiber (DA)
- Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment: Dion George (DA)
- Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies: Solly Malatsi (DA)
- Minister of Police: Senzo Mchunu (ANC)
- Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Velinkosi Hlabisa (IFP). His deputies are Dickson Masemola (ANC) and Zolile Burns-Ncamashe (ANC).
- Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture: Gayton McKenzie (PA)
- Minister of Correctional Services: Pieter Groenewald (FF+)
- Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development: Mzwanele Nyhontso (PAC)
- Minister of Employment and Labour: Nomakhosazana Meth (ANC)
- Minister of Higher Education: Nobuhle Nkabane (ANC)
- Minister of Public Service and Administration: Mzamo Buthelezi (IFP)
- Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition: Parks Tau (ANC)
- Minister of Water and Sanitation: Pemmy Majodina (ANC)
New Deputy Ministers:
- Deputy Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans: Bantu Holomisa (UDM) and Richard Mkhungo
- Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation: Nomalungelo Gina
- Deputy Ministers of Employment and Labour: Jomo Sibiya (ANC) and Phumzile Mgcina (ANC)
- Deputy Ministers of Finance: David Masondo (ANC) and Ashor Sarupen (DA)
- Deputy Minister of Health: Joe Phaahla (ANC)
- Deputy Ministers of Higher Education: Buti Manamela (ANC) and Mimmy Gondwe (DA)
- Deputy Minister of Human Settlements: Tandi Mahambehlala (ANC)
- Deputy Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation: Alvin Botes (ANC) and Tandi Moraka (ANC)
- Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development: Andries Nel (ANC)
- Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources: Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala (ANC)
- Deputy Ministers of Police: Polly Boshielo (ANC) and Cassel Mathale (ANC)
- Deputy Ministers in the Presidency: Nonceba Mhlauli (ANC) and Kenneth Morolong (ANC)
- Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration: Pinky Kekana (ANC)
- Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure: Sihle Zikalala (ANC)
- Deputy Minister of Small Business Development: Jane Sithole (DA)
- Deputy Minister of Social Development: Ganief Hendricks (Al-Jama-ah)
- Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture: Peace Mabe (ANC)
- Deputy Minister of Tourism: Maggie Sotyu (ANC)
- Deputy Ministers of Trade, Industry, and Competition: Zuko Godlimpi (ANC) and Andrew Whitfield (DA)
- Deputy Minister of Transport: Mkhuleko Hlengwa (IFP)
- Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation: David Mahlobo (ANC) and Isaac Seitlholo (DA)
- Deputy Minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities: Mmapaseka Steve Letsike (ANC)
- Deputy Minister of Correctional Services: Lindiwe Ntshalintshali (ANC)
- Deputy Minister of Home Affairs: Njabulo Nzuza (ANC)
- Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy: Samantha Graham (DA)
- Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies: Mondli Gungubele (ANC)
- Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development: Chupu Stanley Mathabatha (ANC)
- Deputy Minister of Agriculture: Rosemary Nokuzola Capa (ANC)
Dropped Ministers?
- Angela Thokozile Didiza (ANC) – Former Agriculture Minister, now Speaker of Parliament
- Bheki Cele (ANC) – Then Police Minister
- Thulas Nxesi (ANC) – Then Labour Minister
- Pravin Gordhan (ANC) – Then Enterprise Minister
- Naledi Pandor (ANC) – Then International Relations Minister
Ministers like Angie Motshekga, Thembi Nkadimeng, Ronald Lamola, Senzo Mchunu, Patricia De Lille, Aaron Motsoaledi, Sindisiwe Chikunga, and Barbara Creecy got different positions from what they had.
While Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Planning and Monitoring Minister Maropene Ramokgopa, Aaron Motsoaledi, Small Business Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Human Settlements Minister Mamoloko Kubayi remained in their previous positions.
