After nearly two weeks of intense negotiations, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the composition of the Seventh administration’s National Executive on June 30, 2024.
This announcement came 11 days after his inauguration on June 19, marking the longest period taken by a newly sworn-in President to form a Cabinet. Ramaphosa emphasized that the delay was necessary to ensure the stability of the Cabinet and to create a team best suited to serve the country.
A Historic Political Landscape
A Shift in Power Dynamics
For the first time in South Africa’s democratic history, no single party obtained an outright majority in the general elections, with the African National Congress (ANC) securing only around 40% of the vote.
This unprecedented situation led to the formation of a co-governing agreement known as the Government of National Unity (GNU), involving 11 political parties represented in the National Assembly. Ramaphosa had to balance the interests of the ANC, its alliance partners, and members of the GNU in constituting his Cabinet.
Cabinet Reconfiguration
New Ministry Structures
Due to the necessity of accommodating multiple parties, Ramaphosa reconfigured the Cabinet without reducing its size. The new structure includes the following changes:
- Merging of the Ministries of Electricity and Energy.
- Separate Ministries for Minerals and Petroleum Resources.
- Separation of the Ministry of Agriculture from Land Reform and Rural Development.
- Distinct Ministries for Higher Education and Science, Technology and Innovation.
- Splitting the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development from Correctional Services.
- Dissolution of the Ministry of Public Enterprises.
The new Cabinet now comprises 32 ministries.
Representation in the New Cabinet
Diverse Political Representation
The following political parties are represented in the Cabinet as ministers:
- African National Congress (ANC)
- Democratic Alliance (DA)
- Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)
- Patriotic Alliance (PA)
- Freedom Front Plus (FF+)
- Pan Africanist Congress (PAC)
- GOOD
Key Appointments and Changes
Ministerial Appointments
Here are some notable changes in ministerial positions:
| Ministry | 6th Administration | 7th Administration |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy President | Paul Mashatile (ANC) | Paul Mashatile (ANC) |
| Electricity and Energy | Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (ANC) and Gwede Mantashe (ANC) | Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (ANC) |
| Presidency: Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation | Maropene Ramokgopa (ANC) | Maropene Ramokgopa (ANC) |
| Minister in the Presidency | Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (ANC) | Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (ANC) |
| Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities | Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (ANC) | Sindisiwe Chikunga (ANC) |
| Agriculture | Thoko Didiza (ANC) | John Steenhuisen (DA) |
| Land Reform and Rural Development | Thoko Didiza (ANC) | Mzwanele Nyhontso (PAC) |
| Basic Education | Angie Motshekga (ANC) | Siviwe Gwarube (DA) |
| Communications and Digital Technologies | Mondli Gungubele (ANC) | Solly Malatsi (DA) |
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Thembi Nkadimeng (ANC) | Velenkhosi Hlabisa (IFP) |
| Defence and Military Veterans | Thandi Modise (ANC) | Angie Motshekga (ANC) |
| Employment and Labour | Thulas Nxesi (ANC) | Nomakhosazana Meth (ANC) |
| Forestry, Fisheries and Environment | Barbara Creecy (ANC) | Dion George (DA) |
| Finance | Enoch Godongwana (ANC) | Enoch Godongwana (ANC) |
| Health | Joe Phaahla (ANC) | Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi (ANC) |
| Science, Technology and Innovation | Blade Nzimande (SACP/ANC) | Blade Nzimande (SACP/ANC) |
| Higher Education | Blade Nzimande (SACP/ANC) | Nobuhle Nkabane (ANC) |
| Home Affairs | Aaron Motsoaledi (ANC) | Leon Schreiber (DA) |
| Human Settlements | Mmamoloko Kubayi (ANC) | Mmamoloko Kubayi (ANC) |
| International Relations and Cooperation | Naledi Pandor (ANC) | Ronald Lamola (ANC) |
| Justice and Constitutional Development | Ronald Lamola (ANC) | Thembi Nkadimeng (ANC) |
| Correctional Services | Ronald Lamola (ANC) | Dr. Pieter Groenewald (FF+) |
| Mineral and Petroleum Resources | Gwede Mantashe (ANC) | Gwede Mantashe (ANC) |
| Police | Bheki Cele (ANC) | Senzo Mchunu (ANC) |
| Public Enterprises | Pravin Gordhan (ANC) | N/A |
| Public Service and Administration | Noxolo Kiviet (ANC) | Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi (IFP) |
| Public Works and Infrastructure | Sihle Zikalala (ANC) | Dean Macpherson (DA) |
| Small Business Development | Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams (ANC) | Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams (ANC) |
| Social Development | Lindiwe Zulu (ANC) | Sisisi Tolashe (ANC) |
| Sports, Arts, and Culture | Zizi Kodwa (Resigned) (ANC) | Gayton Mackenzie (PA) |
| Tourism | Patricia de Lille (GOOD) | Patricia de Lille (GOOD) |
| Trade, Industry and Competition | Ebrahim Patel (ANC) | Parks Tau (ANC) |
| Transport | Sindisiwe Chikunga (ANC) | Barbara Creecy (ANC) |
| Water and Sanitation | Senzo Mchunu (ANC) | Pemmy Majodina (ANC) |
Deputy Ministers
Supporting Roles
Deputy ministers, appointed by the President, assist the cabinet ministers but are not members of the Cabinet. The new deputy ministerial appointments include representatives from ANC, DA, IFP, Al Jama-ah, and UDM. Key changes include:
| Deputy Ministry Position | 6th Administration | 7th Administration |
|---|---|---|
| The Presidency | Nomasonto Motaung (ANC) & Kenneth Morolong (ANC) | Nonceba Mhlauli (ANC) & Kenneth Morolong (ANC) |
| Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities | Sisisi Tolashe (ANC) | Mmapaseka Steve Letsike (ANC) |
| Electricity and Energy | N/A | Samantha Graham (DA) |
| Agriculture | Rosemary Capa (ANC) | Rosemary Nokuzola Capa (ANC) |
| Basic Education | Reginah Mhaule (ANC) | Reginah Mhaule (ANC) |
| Communications and Digital Technologies | Philly Mapulane (ANC) | Mondli Gungubele (ANC) |
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Parks Tau (ANC) & Zolile Burns-Ncamashe (ANC) | Dickson Masemola (ANC) & Zolile Burns‐Ncamashe (ANC) |
| Correctional Services | Patekile Holomisa (ANC) | Lindiwe Ntshalintshali (ANC) |
| Defence and Military Veterans | Thabang Makwetla (ANC) | Bantu Holomisa (UDM) & Richard Mkhungo (ANC) |
| Employment and Labour | Boitumelo Moloi (ANC) | Jomo Sibiya (ANC) & Phumzile Mgcina (ANC) |
| Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries | Maggie Sotyu (ANC) | Narend Singh (IFP) & Bernice Swarts (ANC) |
| Finance | David Masondo (ANC) | David Masondo (ANC) & Ashor Sarupen (DA) |
| Health | Sibongiseni Dhlomo (ANC) | Joe Phaahla (ANC) |
| Science, Technology and Innovation | Buti Manamela (ANC) | Nomalungelo Gina (ANC) |
| Higher Education | Buti Manamela (ANC) | Buti Manamela (ANC) & Mimmy Gondwe (DA) |
| Home Affairs | Njabulo Nzuza (ANC) | Njabulo Nzuza (ANC) |
| Human Settlements | Pam Tshwete (ANC) | Tandi Mahambehlala (ANC) |
| International Relations and Cooperation | Candith Mashego-Dlamini (ANC) & Alvin Botes (ANC) | Alvin Botes (ANC) & Tandi Moraka (ANC) |
| Justice and Constitutional Development | John Jeffery (ANC) | Andries Nel (ANC) |
| Land Reform | Mcebisi Skwatsha (ANC) | Chupu Stanley Mathabatha (ANC) |
| Mineral and Petroleum Resources | Nobuhle Nkabane (ANC) | Judith Nemadzinga‐Tshabalala (ANC) |
| Police | Cassel Mathale (ANC) | Polly Boshielo (ANC) & Cassel Mathale (ANC) |
| Public Enterprises | Obed Bapela (ANC) | N/A |
| Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation | N/A | Judith Nemadzinga‐Tshabalala (ANC) |
| Public Service and Administration | Chana Pilane-Majake (ANC) | Pinky Kekana (ANC) |
| Public Works and Infrastructure | Bernice Swarts (ANC) | Sihle Zikalala (ANC) |
| Small Business Development | Dipuo Peters (Suspended) (ANC) | Jane Sithole (DA) |
| Social Development | Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu (ANC) | Ganief Hendricks (Al Jama-ah) |
| Sports, Arts, and Culture | Nocawe Mafu (ANC) | Peace Mabe (ANC) |
| Tourism | Amos Fish Mahlalela (ANC) | Maggie Sotyu (ANC) |
| Trade, Industry, and Competition | Fikile Majola (ANC) & Nomalungelo Gina (ANC) | Zuko Godlimpi (ANC) & Andrew Whitfield (DA) |
| Transport | Lisa Mangcu (ANC) | Mkhuleko Hlengwa (IFP) |
| Water and Sanitation | David Mahlobo (ANC) & Judith Tshabalala (ANC) | David Mahlobo (ANC) & Isaac Seitlholo (DA) |
Navigating a New Political Era
President Ramaphosa’s new Cabinet reflects the changing political landscape of South Africa, characterized by coalition governance and a reconfigured ministerial structure.
The inclusion of diverse political parties in the Cabinet aims to stabilize and effectively govern the country amidst a historic shift in power dynamics. This administration faces the challenge of balancing various political interests while addressing the critical needs of the nation.
