South Africans react to De Lille's appointment to Ramaphosa's cabinet

South Africa

What next?

Ramaphosa’s cabinet will serve as an early barometer of his ability to push through change more efficiently, having struggled to implement tough reforms since he succeeded scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma last year.

His long to-do list includes generating jobs, acting against entrenched corruption in and outside the ANC, resolving policy uncertainty in the mining sector and speeding up reforms of power utility Eskom and other state-owned entities.

According to Reuters news agency, markets are likely to welcome the reappointment of Mboweni, a former central bank governor who is well respected by investors, while investors will also scrutinise Ramaphosa’s decision to retain David Mabuza as deputy president.

Reactions to cabinet

South Africans took to social media to react to the announcement of the cabinet, with many congratulating GOOD’s Patricia De Lille.

The former Cape Town mayor quit the opposition Democratic Alliance party last year, and formed the GOOD party to contest the national elections.

Having won two seats in the National Assembly, De Lille has bow been appointed Public Works and Infrastructure minister.

Bravo South Africa. I hope you inspire other governments to follow suit. Great example for the continent that needs more women representation in cabinet. #Leadership https://t.co/edU21zD39W

— Evelyn Namara (@enamara) 29 mai 2019

CyrilRamaphosa again proving to be a political delinquent appointing another political delinquent in #PravinGordhan... Chapter 9 institution in #PublicProtector has being ridiculed by the president himself... MYANC has no respect to the constitution #CabinetAnnouncement

— Tebogo Tjale (@ttjale01) 29 mai 2019

Ms LindiweSisuluSA, congratulations on your appointment in the new cabinet. I really wanted to serve under your guidance but I believe you are capable of incredible things no matter what position you hold. Stay amazing! ❤️ #CabinetAnnouncement ?? pic.twitter.com/Bx4COpmXLI
— Zaheera Motala (ZaheeraMotala) 29 mai 2019

#CabinetAnnouncement My top ups are Patricia De Lille, Angie Motshekga, Blade Nzimande, Zweli Mkhize. My downs are Pravin Ghordhan, Gwede Mantashe, Fikile Mbalula and Tito Mboweni. Otherwise no stress we forge foward as a country. ?

— Mind Leverage (@hlabane_g) 29 mai 2019

Gender-parity cabinet

Ramaphosa announced an inclusive cabinet that he said made history as the first with 50% female appointees.

The president also said age had been considered to enable the government that reflects the youthful nature of South Africa’s populace.

Ramaphosa retained Tito Mboweni as finance minister and David Mabuza as deputy president.

Ramaphosa kept on Pravin Gordhan as public enterprises minister. The ministry oversees state-owned companies including Eskom. The management of Eskom’s restructuring is key to reviving the economy after power cuts in the past year undermined broader efforts to kick-start growth.

The president also appointed Gwedwe Mantashe as mining and energy minister after combining the two ministries. Mantashe previously headed the mining ministry. Naledi Pandor, previously higher education minister, was appointed as foreign affairs minister.

Angie Motshekga , Minister of Basic Education
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Communications minister
Thulas Nxesi , Minister of Employment and Labour
Ronald Lamola, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister
Patricia De Lille of the GOOD party, Public Works and Infrastructure minister
Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Barbara Creecy, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs
Zwelini Mkhize, Minister of Health
Nkozasana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs
Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development

Ramaphosa’s reconfigured govt

South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa says ministries have been merged to reduce portfolios from 36 to 28, as part of his pledge to have a lean and efficient government.

“It is critical that the structure and size of the state is optimally suited to meet the needs of the people and ensure the most efficient allocation of public resources.”

Some of the merged ministries include;