The newly elected state security minister, Bongani Thomas Bongo, was sworn into office today.
He is a lawyer by profession and an ANC MP from Mpumalanga.
Bongo was appointed by President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday in his cabinet reshuffle.
There are mixed emotions raised on social media about Bongo’s new appointment.
He is the only new member in Zuma’s second cabinet in less than seven months.
He will replace outgoing David Mahlobo, who was moved to the energy portfolio. When Mpumalanga News contacted Bongo on Wednesday morning, he said he was certainly ready for his new position.
”I will be able to talk on how it feels to be a newly elected state security minister after the swearing-in ceremony.”
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Bongo was chief director of integrity management in the office of the premier David ‘DD’ Mabuza in Mpumalanga before he moved to parliament.
He was sworn in as an MP of the fifth parliament in May 2014, and is MP on the portfolio committee on defence and military veterans, along with justice.
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He was also a member of ad hoc committee on funding of political parties from June 21 to October 17.
Here are some of the comments that were posted on social media:
Joburg lawyer @joburglawyer said “Who the f** is #BonganiBongo? Sounds like another Des Van Rooyen nonentity catapulted into a serious job he has no clue about.”
Khaya Sithole @CoruscaKhaya said “Oh sh**. I just dawned on me that Bongani Bongo is now responsible for manufacturing intelligence reports for Jacob? #CabinetReshuffle”
#UyandaItsOn @UyandaM said “Adv BONGANI Thomas Bongo is my home boy.We grew up together. In my books he’s deserving of the role given to him.#CabineReshuffle.”
Shopsteward(Retired) @Mzidlanga said “We have young people in the ANC, more capable and #qualified for the job than Mr Zuma’s recently appointed praise singer Bongani Bongo.”
Mihlali Gqada @Mihlali_Gqada said “Congratulations to my longtime friend Bongani AKA Thomas Bongo on his new appointment and new responsibilities #ProudMoments”
Andile Mlondo @AndileMlondo said “Bongani Bongo has been applying for that cabinet post