President Ramaphosa announces new Cabinet appointments in reshuffle

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced several changes to his national executive before the 2024 national general elections. In his address to the nation on Monday, Ramaphosa confirmed that he might appoint up to two ministers and two deputy ministers outside the National Assembly as reported by the Pretoria Rekord.

However, he stressed that these changes are not about overhauling the National Executive but rather about balancing the need for new skills and capabilities with ensuring stability and continuity in government work.

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a minister of electricity in the form of Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. Ramokgopa, initially proposed during this year’s State of the Nation Address on February 9, will be the first minister of electricity tasked with rescuing Eskom from its current crisis and ending load-shedding.

He was previously the mayor of the City of Tshwane between 2010 and 2016.

Another notable change is the appointment of ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile as the country’s deputy president. Meanwhile, Sindisiwe Chikunga has been promoted from deputy minister to replace Fikile Mbalula as the minister of transport following Mbalula’s resignation after being elected as the ANC’s secretary-general.

Ramaphosa also announced that he would reduce the number of ministries by rationalising government departments, entities and programmes to ensure greater efficiency. This work will inform the configuration of government going into the next administration.

Picture: Facebook / @Cyril Ramaphosa