Ramaphosa’s massive cabinet reshuffle – including a new finance minister
- Staff Writer: Staff Writer
Newly-elected president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has announced his new cabinet in a press briefing.
In his late night reshuffle, Ramaphosa said that government will retain its existing ministries and departments until a review is made at a later date.
However he still made a number of significant changes, notably the announcement of David Mabuza as deputy-president, the reshuffling of Malusi Gigaba as finance minister, and the re-introduction of Pravin Gordhan into cabinet.
Nhlanhla Nene was re-appointed as finance minister, marking a dramatic comeback after being sacked by former president Jacob Zuma in 2015.
The shakeup comes 11 days after Ramaphosa was elected president, replacing Zuma, who was forced to resign amid pressure from the ANC.
Nene served as deputy finance minister before taking over the post of finance chief from Pravin Gordhan in 2014 and won the respect of investors before his firing.
Since then he’s taken up a position on the board of fund manager Allan Gray, become an adviser to Thebe Investment and served as temporary head of the University of Witwatersrand’s Business School, bloomberg reported.
Nene will spearhead efforts to revive an economy that only grew about 1% last year, drive down a 27% unemployment rate and rebuild investor confidence that was badly damaged during Zuma’s scandal-marred nine-year tenure.
“The reappointment of Nhlanhla Nene is a positive step in rebuilding South Africa’s fiscal credibility,” Andrew Canter, chief investment officer at Futuregrowth Asset Management told Bloomberg.
“Ultimately, South Africa’s renewal lies in the ability get economic growth and opportunity back on track.”
Gordhan was named as minister of public enterprises, Gigaba returned to his former post of minister of home affairs, while Lindiwe Sisulu will become foreign minister.
This is the list of Ramaphosa’s new cabinet members:
Position | Shuffled In | Shuffled Out |
---|---|---|
Deputy President | David Mabuza | |
Minister of Finance | Nhlanhla Nene | Malusi Gigaba |
Deputy Minister of Finance | Mondli Gungubele | Sifiso Buthelezi |
Minister of Energy | Jeff Radebe | David Mahlobo |
Minister of State Security | Dipuo Letsatsi Duba | Bongani Bongo |
Minister of Public Enterprises | Pravin Gordhan | Lynne Brown |
Minister of Home Affairs | Malusi Gigaba | Ayanda Dlodlo |
Minister of International Relations | Lindiwe Sisulu | Maite Nkoana-Mashabane |
Minister of Public Works | Thulas Nxesi | Nathi Nhleko |
Minister of Water and Sanitation | Gugile Nkwinti | Nomvula Mokonyane |
Minister of Transport | Blade Nzimande | Joe Maswanganyi |
Minister of Sport | Thoko Xasa | Thulas Nxesi |
Minister of Communications | Nomvula Mokonyane | Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane |
Deputy Minister of Communications | Pinkie Kekana | Tandi Mahambehlala |
Minister of Social Development | Susan Shabangu | Bathabile Dlamini |
Minister of Mineral Resources | Gwede Mantashe | Mosebenzi Zwane |
Minister of Cooperative Governance | Zweli Mkhize | Des van Rooyen |
Minister of Science and Technology | David Mahlobo | Naledi Pandor |
Minister of Police | Bheki Cele | Fikile Mbalula |
Minister of Higher Education | Naledi Pandor | Hlengiwe Mkhize |
Minister of Human Settlements | Nomaindia Mfeketo | Lindiwe Sisulu |
Minister of Public Service and Admin | Ayanda Dlodlo | Faith Muthambi |
Minister of Rural Development | Maite Nkoana-Mashabane | Gugule Nkwiti |
Minister of Tourism | Derek Hanekom | Thoko Xasa |
Minister in the Presidency for Monitoring | Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma | Jeff Radebe |
Minister of Women and Disability | Bathabile Dlamini | Susan Shabangu |