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South Africa’s President announces new government cabinet
South Africa has a new cabinet. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC retains 20 of 32 ministerial posts. Photo
© Kim Ludbrook/Pool EPA/AP
20 of 32 ministries go to the African National Congress (ANC). The party therefore continues to hold the lion’s share – but still has to hand over some posts to the opposition.
The largest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), takes over six positions. DA party leader John Steenhuisen will be in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture. With 20 ministries, including key ministries such as Foreign Affairs, Defence, Energy and Finance, the African National Congress (ANC) will retain the lion’s share of cabinet posts.
Cabinet larger than last
With a total of 32 ministerial posts, the cabinet is two seats larger than in previous years. The background to this is the composition of the new government. It consists of eleven parties that are to lead the fortunes of Africa’s strongest economy in a Government of National Unity (GNU). Ramaphosa’s party, the ANC, has lost its absolute majority for the first time in 30 years after a massive loss of power in the parliamentary elections on May 29 and can no longer govern alone.
For the new government, economic growth, social justice and democratic renewal of the country are priorities. The same applies to the fight against poverty, unemployment and crime. Action is also to be taken against corruption and the exploitation of the state.
Shaky coalition alliance
The government alliance is a kind of grand coalition, but without any fixed coalition agreements. According to political analysts, the stability and effectiveness of such a form of government are questionable. As a country with access to a continent that is becoming increasingly important internationally due to its raw material reserves needed for the energy transition, the political events in South Africa are also relevant for Germany and Europe. South Africa is also the only African member of the group of major economic nations (G20).