The ruling party of 30 years, the African National Congress, which lost its parliamentary majority, formed a “government of national unity” with the support of the second largest party, the Democratic Alliance, and 9 other smaller parties.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the cabinet members of the national unity government in his address to the nation.
Accordingly, 20 ministers from ANC, 6 from DA, 2 from Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), one each from GOOD party, Patriotic Alliance (PA), Pan Afrikanist Congress (PAC) and Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) were included in the new 32-member cabinet.
The other 4 small parties, including the Muslim party Al Jamaah, were included in the government with one deputy minister each.
The third largest party in the parliament, the Spear of the Nation (MK), became the new main opposition party, while the fourth party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), also joined the opposition ranks.
New cabinet members
The new cabinet includes ANC cadres Ronald Lamola as Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Angie Motshekga as Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as Minister of Electricity and Energy, Blade Nzimande as Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomakhosazana Meth as Minister of Labor, Enoch Godongwana as Minister of Finance, Aaron Motsoaledi as Minister of Health, Nobuhle Nkabane as Minister of Higher Education, Mmamoloko Kubayi as Minister of Public Works, and Thembi Nkadimeng as Minister of Justice, Gwede Mantashe as Minister of Mines and Petroleum Resources, Maropene Ramokgopa as Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Senzo Mchunu as Minister of Police, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni as Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mzamo Buthelezi as Minister of Public Service and Administration, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams as Minister of Small Business Development, Sisisi Tolashe as Minister of Social Development, Barbara Creecy as Minister of Transport, Pemmy Majodina as Minister of Water and Sanitation and Sindisiwe Chikunga as Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.
DA leader John Steenhuisen was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Leon Schreiber was appointed Minister of Interior, Siviwe Gwarube Minister of Basic Education, Solly Malatsi Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Dion George Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Dean Macpherson Minister of Infrastructure.
IFP leader Velinkosi Hlabisa was appointed Minister of Cooperative Management and Traditional Affairs, while Mzamo Buthelezi from the same party was appointed Minister of Public Service and Administration.
GOOD party leader Patricia De Lille was appointed Minister of Tourism, PA leader Gayton McKenzie was appointed Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, PAC leader Mzwanele Nyhontso was appointed Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development and VF Plus leader Pieter Groenewald was appointed Minister of Correctional Services.
Al Jamaah leader Ganief Hendricks was appointed Deputy Minister of Social Development.
