Ratepayers’ association raises concerns over ministerial appointments

THE Bluff Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association ((BRRA) have expressed concerns over the qualifications and experience of several newly appointed ministers in the seventh administration’s cabinet.

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This apprehension arises amid what they describe as critical failings and challenges facing South Africa across various sectors.

Deputy chairperson of the association Allison Schoeman said, “South Africa, a nation of approximately 60 million people, relies heavily on competent leadership to tackle its complex socio-economic issues.”

However, the BRRA contends that the current administration’s approach to appointing ministers based primarily on political affiliation rather than qualifications is deeply flawed and poses significant risks to effective governance.

“It is alarming that political leaders, despite lacking relevant experience, assume they can manage portfolios that directly impact millions of South Africans,” said Schoeman.

The association argues that such a system not only undermines professional expertise but also jeopardises the ability to drive meaningful change and improvement in crucial sectors.

The association has further expressed disappointment with political parties that pledged to appoint suitable candidates during their election campaigns but have seemingly placed individuals without requisite qualifications into key positions. They see this as a betrayal of public trust and an inconsistency that undermines the credibility of electoral promises.

“This inconsistency between pre-election promises and post-election actions is a betrayal of the trust that the people of South Africa have placed in their leaders,” she said.

Moreover, the association highlighted potential financial implications, foreseeing increased costs for citizens due to inefficiencies and mismanagement resulting from on-the-job training at such high levels of government.

In light of these concerns, the association called upon President Cyril Ramaphosa to reassess the criteria for ministerial appointments. They advocate for the establishment of minimum qualifications and experience standards for these critical roles to ensure competent governance and effective leadership.

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“There must be legislative intervention to mitigate the risks associated with unqualified ministerial appointments. There must be a move towards establishing minimum qualifications and experience for these critical roles to ensure competent governance. Additionally, it may be necessary to amend the constitution to codify these requirements, thereby reducing the margin for human error and ensuring that ministerial appointments are based on merit and expertise rather than political affiliation alone,” she said.

The association urged all political leaders to prioritise the interests of South Africans by committing to appointing individuals based on merit and expertise rather than political connections alone.

We believe that with the right leadership, South Africa can overcome its challenges and build a prosperous future for all its citizens,” Schoeman added.

Among the ministers who have been appointed to new ministerial positions are former Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, who is now the new Minister for Defence and Military Veterans. Her deputies are Bantu Holomisa and Richard Mkhungo.

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