By The long wait has finally come to an end; South Africa is now officially in a Government of National Unity (GNU) as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday evening 30 June 2024.
Though it took almost a month of negotiations with various political parties, the ANC was finally able to reach an agreement with all 10 parties involved, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), Patriotic Alliance (PA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Good Party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), United Democratic Movement (UDM), Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi and the United Africans Transformation.
Concerns were on the balance of the different ideologies the parties have; however, Cyril Ramaphosa announced a rather balanced and strategic cabinet that does not give particular opposition parties outright power on strategic portfolios. The mix of political leaders in the different ministries balances the power out.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said no single party will prioritise its own constituency, but they must all concern themselves in serving South Africans irrespective of race, party affiliation and ideology.
“All the parties have made a commitment to respect the constitution and to promote an accountable and transparent governance, evidence-based policy and decision-making, the professionalisation of the public service, integrity and good governance.
The incoming government will prioritise rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and the creation of a more just society by tackling poverty and inequality. The establishment of the Government of National Unity in its current form is unprecedented in the history of our democracy,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The President also announced some changes in government, whereby some departments have been merged and others separated.
The ministries of Electricity and Energy will be merged. There will be a separate ministry of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. The ministry of Agriculture will be separated from the ministry of Land Reform and Rural Development. The ministry of Higher Education will be separated from the ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development will be separated from the ministry of Correctional Services.
There will no longer be a Ministry of Public Enterprises. The coordination of the relevant public enterprises will be located in the Presidency during the process of implementing a new shareholder model.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his National Executive as follows:
The Deputy President is Paul Mashatile (ANC).
The Minister of Agriculture is John Steenhuisen (DA).
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture is Rosemary Nokuzola Capa (ANC).
The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development is Mzwanele Nyhontso (PAC).
The Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development is Chupu Stanley Mathabatha (ANC).
The Minister of Basic Education is Siviwe Gwarube (DA).
The Deputy Minister of Basic Education is Reginah Mhaule (ANC).
The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies is Solly Malatsi (DA).
The Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies is Mondli Gungubele (ANC).
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is Velinkosi Hlabisa (IFP).
The Deputy Ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs are Dickson Masemola and Zolile Burns‐Ncamashe (ANC).
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is Angie Motshekga (ANC).
The Deputy Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans are Bantu Holomisa (UDM) and Richard Mkhungo (ANC).
The Minister of Electricity and Energy is Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (ANC).
The Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy is Samantha Graham (DA).
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation is Blade Nzimande (ANC).
The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation is Nomalungelo Gina (ANC).
The Minister of Employment and Labour is Nomakhosazana Meth (ANC).
The Deputy Ministers of Employment and Labour are Jomo Sibiya (ANC) and Phumzile Mgcina (ANC).
The Minister of Finance is Enoch Godongwana (ANC).
The Deputy Ministers of Finance are David Masondo (ANC) and Ashor Sarupen (DA).
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is Dion George (DA).
The Deputy Ministers of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment are Narend Singh (IFP) and Bernice Swarts (DA).
The Minister of Health is Aaron Motsoaledi (ANC).
The Deputy Minister of Health is Joe Phaahla (ANC).
The Minister of Higher Education is Nobuhle Nkabane (ANC).
The Deputy Ministers of Higher Education are Buti Manamela (ANC) and Mimmy Gondwe (DA).
The Minister of Home Affairs is Leon Schreiber (DA).
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs is Njabulo Nzuza (ANC).
The Minister of Human Settlements is Mmamoloko Kubayi (ANC).
The Deputy Minister of Human Settlements is Tandi Mahambehlala (ANC).
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is Ronald Lamola (ANC).
The Deputy Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation are Alvin Botes (ANC) and Tandi Moraka (ANC).
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is Thembi Nkadimeng (ANC).
The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is Andries Nel (ANC).
The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is Gwede Mantashe (ANC).
The Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is Judith Nemadzinga‐Tshabalala (ANC).
The Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is Maropene Ramokgopa (ANC).
The Deputy Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is Seiso Mohai (ANC).
The Minister of Police is Senzo Mchunu (ANC).
The Deputy Ministers of Police are Polly Boshielo (ANC) and Cassel Mathale (ANC).
The Minister in the Presidency is Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (ANC).
The Deputy Ministers in the Presidency are Nonceba Mhlauli (ANC) and Kenneth Morolong (ANC).
The Minister of Public Service and Administration is Mzamo Buthelezi (IFP).
The Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration is Pinky Kekana (ANC).
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is Dean Macpherson (DA).
The Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is Sihle Zikalala (ANC).
The Minister of Small Business Development is Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams (ANC).
The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development is Jane Sithole (DA).
The Minister of Social Development is Sisisi Tolashe (ANC).
The Deputy Minister of Social Development is Ganief Hendricks (Al-Jama-ah) .
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture is Gayton McKenzie (PA).
The Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture is Peace Mabe (ANC).
The Minister of Tourism is Patricia De Lille (Good Party).
The Deputy Minister of Tourism is Maggie Sotyu (ANC).
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition is Parks Tau (ANC).
The Deputy Ministers of Trade, Industry and Competition are Zuko Godlimpi (ANC) and Andrew Whitfield (DA).
The Minister of Transport is Barbara Creecy (ANC).
The Deputy Minister of Transport is Mkhuleko Hlengwa (IFP).
The Minister of Water and Sanitation is Pemmy Majodina (ANC).
The Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation are David Mahlobo (ANC) and Isaac Seitlholo (DA).
The Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is Sindisiwe Chikunga (ANC).
The Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is Mmapaseka Steve Letsike (ANC).
The Minister of Correctional Services is Pieter Groenewald (FFP).
The Deputy Minister of Correctional Services is Lindiwe Ntshalintshali (ANC).
