The 2024 national elections saw big changes for South Africa as the ANC failed to achieve an outright majority and for the first time since contesting the elections had to rely on other parties to form a majority government.
President Makes New Cabinet 2024 Announcement For GNU
It has been more than a month since the results were received and after a few false starts President Cyril Ramaphosa was able to announce the composition of the Cabinet that will drive the policy of his Government of National Unity, or GNU.
There are changes in both of the education departments with new ministers and a reshuffle of departments.
Cabinet Announcement Sees More Cabinet Ministers, Not Fewer
President Cyril Ramaphosa had previously said that the Cabinet was too big and needed to be slimmed down. The Cabinet grew in size during the time of President Jacob Zuma and this has led to a significant increase in the cost of running the national government. This is because the salaries for Ministers and Deputy Ministers is set centrally. Each new Ministry with a Minister and Deputy Minister (sometimes 2 Deputy Ministers) adds significantly to the total cost of the government.
In his Cabinet announcement speech on Sunday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa recognised that he had previously said that the Cabinet should be shrunk down to be more manageable and cost-effective. How he said that because of the requirements of the GNU he was not able to do this at this time.
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube
The new Minister of Basic Education is Siviwe Gwarube (who is from the Democratic Alliance) and the Deputy Minister will remain the same, Reginah Mhaule (ANC).
The former Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga has been moved sideways and is now the Minister responsible for Defence and Military Veterans.
Minister of Higher Education Nobuhle Nkabane
For Higher Education the department will now be standing alone after being split from its previous partner in Science & Technology. The New Minister for Higher Education (it seems to have lost the 'and Training' moniker) will be Nobuhle Nkabane (ANC). She will have 2 deputy Ministers. One will be the incumbent deputy, veteran Buti Manamela (ANC) and the other will be newcomer Mimmy Gondwe from the Democratic Alliance.
This news may be welcomed by many of the student groups who have been calling for the removal of Minister Blade Nzimande, the former Minister responsible for Higher Education. While the Higher Education responsibility has been removed from his work, he remains the Minister in charge of the Science, Technology and Innovation Department.
Minister of Social Development
The new Minister of Social Development is Sisisi Tolashe (ANC) and the new Deputy Minister is Ganief Hendricks from the Al Jama-ah party. They will be responsible for the South African Social Security Agency, Sassa, amongst many other responsibilities.
Other Members of the New Cabinet
The Deputy President is Paul Mashatile.
The Minister of Agriculture is John Steenhuisen.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture is Rosemary Nokuzola Capa.
The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development is Mzwanele Nyhontso.
The Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development is Chupu Stanley Mathabatha.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies is Solly Malatsi.
The Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies is Mondli Gungubele.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is Velinkosi Hlabisa.
The Deputy Ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs are Dickson Masemola and Zolile Burns‐Ncamashe.
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is Angie Motshekga.
The Deputy Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans are Bantu Holomisa and Richard Mkhungo.
The Minister of Electricity and Energy is Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
The Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy is Samantha Graham.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation is Blade Nzimande.
The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation is Nomalungelo Gina.
The Minister of Employment and Labour is Nomakhosazana Meth.
The Deputy Ministers of Employment and Labour are Jomo Sibiya and Phumzile Mgcina.
The Minister of Finance is Enoch Godongwana.
The Deputy Ministers of Finance are David Masondo and Ashor Sarupen.
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is Dion George.
The Deputy Ministers of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment are Narend Singh and Bernice Swarts.
The Minister of Health is Aaron Motsoaledi.
The Deputy Minister of Health is Joe Phaahla.
The Minister of Home Affairs is Leon Schreiber.
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs is Njabulo Nzuza.
The Minister of Human Settlements is Mmamoloko Kubayi.
The Deputy Minister of Human Settlements is Tandi Mahambehlala.
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is Ronald Lamola.
The Deputy Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation are Alvin Botes and Tandi Moraka.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is Thembi Nkadimeng.
The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is Andries Nel.
The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is Gwede Mantashe.
The Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is Judith Nemadzinga‐Tshabalala.
The Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is Maropene Ramokgopa.
The Deputy Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is Seiso Mohai.
The Minister of Police is Senzo Mchunu.
The Deputy Ministers of Police are Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale.
The Minister in the Presidency is Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
The Deputy Ministers in the Presidency are Nonceba Mhlauli and Kenneth Morolong.
The Minister of Public Service and Administration is Mzamo Buthelezi.
The Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration is Pinky Kekana.
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is Dean Macpherson.
The Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is Sihle Zikalala.
The Minister of Small Business Development is Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development is Jane Sithole.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture is Gayton McKenzie.
The Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture is Peace Mabe.
The Minister of Tourism is Patricia De Lille.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism is Maggie Sotyu.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition is Parks Tau.
The Deputy Ministers of Trade, Industry and Competition are Zuko Godlimpi and Andrew Whitfield.
The Minister of Transport is Barbara Creecy.
The Deputy Minister of Transport is Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
The Minister of Water and Sanitation is Pemmy Majodina.
The Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation are David Mahlobo and Isaac Seitlholo.
The Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is Sindisiwe Chikunga.
The Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is Mmapaseka Steve Letsike.
The Minister of Correctional Services is Pieter Groenewald.
The Deputy Minister of Correctional Services is Lindiwe Ntshalintshali.
