Lindiwe Sisulu. (Photo: DIRCO)
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced changes to his Cabinet, replacing Lindiwe Sisulu with Patricia de Lille in the ministry of tourism.
Other ministers who did not return include Nathi Mthethwa, who has been replaced with Zizi Kodwa and Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
While several analysts have argued Ramaphosa would use the Cabinet reshuffle to keep his allies close, the president on Monday evening said the changes were not about overhauling the national executive, but “intended to fill vacancies that have occurred in the Executive and to direct government more effectively towards the areas that require urgent and decisive action.”
ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile was appointed as the country’s deputy president, while Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa will be heading the ministry of electricity.
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“We have said that the people of South Africa want action, they want solutions and they want government to work for them,” said Ramaphosa.
“All members of the Executive have been directed to focus on those agreed actions that will make
a meaningful difference now, that will enable real progress within the next year and that will lay a
foundation for a sustained recovery into the future.”
Ramaphosa’s Cabinet will have two new ministries – Minister for Electricity and Minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
The latter will focus greater attention on the performance of government.
“While this will result in an increase in the number of ministries in the short term, as indicated in the State of the Nation Address, I have instructed the Presidency and National Treasury to develop a proposal to rationalise government departments, entities and programmes to ensure greater efficiency,” said Ramaphosa.
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“This work, which will result in the reduction of the number of Ministries, will inform the configuration of government going into the next administration.”
WATCH LIVE: Cyril Ramaphosa announces Cabinet reshuffle
Compiled by Vhahangwele Nemakonde
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