AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
SOUTH African new Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has been sworn in, along with several deputies.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has fired his defence minister, appointed Godongwana as part of the 10 major changes to his cabinet and introduced a restructure of government departments.
Godongwana, an ANC and SA Communist Party veteran was appointed as the new Finance Minister, to replace Tito Mboweni, who requested to be released from his position. After his swearing in, Godongwana said South Africa should be ready for some positive changes that he will introduce.
Ramaphosa axed Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who was in trouble recently for contradicting the president in public. She was replaced by Thandi Modise, who was the Speaker of the National Assembly. The appointment means that the National Assembly has to elect a new Speaker.
On the restructuring of government, Ramaphosa revealed that he had done away with the Ministry of State Security. The function has moved into the Presidency where it will be overseen by Zizi Kodwa, who retains his position as deputy minister.
Also sworn in was Dr Joe Phaahla , who was from Deputy Minister to Minister of Health, replacing Dr Zweli Mkhize, who resigned hours before the reshuffle. Mkhize has been on special leave after he was implicated in a R150-million communications tender scandal.
The third new cabinet minister to be sworn in was Mondli Gungubele, the former deputy finance minister and ex-mayor of Ekurhuleni, who has been appointed as the new Minister in the Presidency, replacing the late Jackson Mthembu.
The cabinet ministers who were moved into new portfolios did not need to be sworn in. They include Khumbudzo Ntshavheni who is the new Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is the new minister of Small Business Development.
Mamoloko Kubayi, the former Tourism Minister who also acted as Health Minister for two months, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Human Settlement, where she has replaced Lindiwe Sisulu.
Sisulu has been appointed as the new Tourism Minister.
Ayanda Dlodlo, the former Minister of State Security, returns to her former post as Minister of Public Service and Administration. Her predecessor, Senzo Mchunu is the new Minister of Water and Sanitation.
Ramaphosa said the changes to the executive came at a time when the country was facing several challenges and the leadership was called upon to undertake several tasks at once.
“Firstly, we are working to accelerate our vaccination programme to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondly, we are working to ensure peace and stability in the wake of the recent outbreak of violence and destruction in parts of the country. Thirdly, we are mobilising all available resources and capabilities to rebuild our economy and provide relief to those most vulnerable. I am therefore making changes to the National Executive to improve the capacity of the government to effectively undertake these tasks,” he said.
Ramaphosa also announced the following Deputy Ministers.
- – The Presidency: Ms Pinky Kekana will come in as a second Deputy Minister
- – Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform: Ms Zoleka Capa
- – Communications and Digital Technologies: Mr Philly Mapulane
- – Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Ms Thembi Nkadimeng
- – Health: Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo
- – Mineral Resources and Energy: Dr Nobuhle Nkabane
- – Public Service and Administration: Dr Chana Pilane-Majake
- – Small Business Development: Mr Sdumo Dlamini
- – Transport: Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga
- – Water and Sanitation: Ms Dikeledi Magadzi
