New Cabinet reshuffle list suggests the time of the Vendas has come

There have been many lists in recent days purporting to know who President Cyril Ramaphosa will pick in his new, post-Jacob Zuma cabinet.

Possibly the most ridiculous of them is one that suggests that Ramaphosa will pick only his fellow Vendas, resulting in a list of very long and sometimes hard-to-pronounce names of people no one has ever heard of.

As fun as the list no doubt is, it’s also a satirical comment on the fact that tribal politics have not left South Africa. Zuma was often accused, fairly or not, of favouring his fellow Zulus, while the governments of Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki contributed to the term “Xhosa-Nostra” gaining currency.

Take a look at what an all-Venda cabinet might look like below:

ULTIMATELY WE HAVE EMERGED WITH THE NEW CAPABLE AND TRUSTED COLLECTIVE, ALL THE BEST TO THESE COMRADES. YOU HAVE OUR SUPPORT CDES OF THE MOVEMENT

South Africa’s New Cabinet

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries -Mr Livhuwani Ramavhea

Arts and Culture -Ms Fhulufhelo Mushasha

Basic Education-Mr Lutendo Nevondwe

Communications-Mrs Avhatendi Dzhivhuho

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs-Mr Ntakuseni Mukwevho

Defence and Military Veterans-Mrs Nduvho Makana

Economic Development-Ms Muambiwa Munzhelele

Energy-Mr Mbangiseni Mahlobo

Environmental Affairs-Mrs Tshimangadzo Matamela

Finance-Mr Tendani Mshavhanamadi

Health-Mr Rofhiwa Muloiwa

Higher Education and Training-Ms Thinawanga Negota

Home Affairs-Mr Thanyani Mugivhi

Human Settlements-Mr Tshinyalani Kwinda

International Relations and Cooperation-Mrs Nndileni Maphangwa

Justice and Correctional Services-Adv Mpho Mudau

Labour-Ms Nthengedzeni Masevhe

Mineral Resources-Ms Takalani Mashamba

Police-Mr Rendani Musandiwa

Public Enterprises-Mrs Pfuluwani Mulaudzi

Public Service and Administration-Ms Azwihangwisi Muthambi

Public Works-Mr Mkhumbudzeni Singo

Rural Development and Land Reform-Mr Luvhengo Neluvhola

Science and Technology-Mr Ndiyafhi Mulovhedzi

Small Business Development-Mr Azwindini Tshifularo

Social Development-Mrs Azwihangwisi Dagada

Sport and Recreation-Mr Azwinnyandi Mphephu

State Security-Adv Tshanduko Phadziri

Telecommunications and Postal Services-Ms Nkhangweleni Ndou

The Presidency-Ms Zwanga Ramano

Tourism-Mrs Dembe Netshituni

Trade and Industry-Mr Avhasei Nevhutalu

Transport-Mr Konanani Nelwamondo

Water and Sanitation-Ms Hangwani Doyoyo

Women in The Presidency-Mrs Khangwelo Nepfumbada