SOUTH AFRICA - ZUMA APPOINTS NEW MINISTERS WHILE GORDHAN & OTHERS ARE AXED

Drastic changes to the Cabinet were made when President Jacob Zuma announced the Cabinet on just after midnight on Friday morning. The new team is a mixed of young ANC MPs.

The announcement follows a meeting late on Thursday with the Top Six leaders of the African National Congress in Pretoria.

Malusi Gigaba appointed as former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s replacement, Fikile Mbalula replacing Nathi Nhleko who has moved to Public Works as Minister and Faith Muthambi moving from Communications Ministry to Public Service and Administration have headlined the changes.

The greatest omission from the list of new minister was probably that of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who was widely speculated to take over from Faith Muthambi as the new Communications Minister. Ayanda Dlodlo has been appointed to the position.

Eyes will be on the move the SACP will take next after they came out to criticise and reject the Cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday morning.

Briefing the media in Johannesburg, the party said it had told the African National party (ANC) in a bilateral meeting on Monday that it rejected the move to replace the two.

The SACP said it also believed that the recall of Gordhan and Jonas from an international investment road-show could have been handled better.

SACP Deputy General-Secretary Solly Mapaila said they did not want Gordhan to be fired because he had run the finance ministry "with absolutely cleanliness  ... we should emulate it."

This is the official statement as released by the South African Government's  official website:

President Jacob Zuma has made changes to the National Executive in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

“The changes bring some younger MPs and women into the National Executive in order to benefit from their energy, experience and expertise.

“I have directed the new Ministers and Deputy Ministers to work tirelessly with their colleagues to bring about radical socio-economic transformation and to ensure that the promise of a better life for the poor and the working class becomes a reality,” the President said in a statement in the early hours of Friday morning.

The changes are as follows;

Ministers

1.    Minister of Energy, Mmamoloko “Nkhensani” Kubayi

2.    Minister of Transport, Joe Maswanganyi

3.    Minister of Finance, Malusi Gigaba

4.    Minister of Police, Fikile Mbalula

5.    Minister of Public Works, Nathi Nhleko,

6.    Minister of Sports and Recreation, Thembelani Nxesi

7.    Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa

8.    Minister of Public Service and Administration, Faith Muthambi

9.    Minister of Home Affairs, Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize

10. Minister of Communications, Ayanda Dlodlo

Deputy Ministers

1.    Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba

2.    Deputy Minister of Finance, Sifiso Buthelezi

3.    Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Ben Martins

4.    Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Maggie Sotyu

5.    Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Gratitude Magwanishe

6.    Deputy Minister of Communications, Thandi Mahambehlala,

7.    Deputy Minister of Tourism, Elizabeth Thabethe

8.    Deputy Minister of Police, Bongani Mkongi

9.    Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams

10. Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Nomathemba November.

“I wish to extend my gratitude to the outgoing Ministers and Deputy Ministers for their service to the country. I also wish the new Ministers and Deputy Ministers the best in their new responsibilities,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za