Newly appointed Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane has appointed Marian Shinn as the party’s spokesman on telecommunications and postal services.
Shinn had been shadow communications minister before President Jacob Zuma split the ministry in two. Zuma announced a new communications department would house communications regulator Icasa, the SABC, Brand South Africa and other agencies.
Zuma appointed former state security minister Siyabonga Cwele as telecoms and postal services minister, while Faith Muthambi was named as minister of the new communications portfolio.
Maimane has named Cameron Mackenzie as shadow deputy telecoms minister. Gavin Davis, meanwhile, has been appointed as shadow communications minister, with Veronica van Dyk serving as his deputy.
Annelie Lotriet and Juanita Terblanche have been named as spokesman and deputy spokesman of the science & technology portfolio respectively.
“This shadow cabinet will make pragmatic legislative proposals that will tackle South Africa’s problems head on, with a commitment to the creation of real jobs in South Africa,” Maimane said.
“The DA shadow cabinet will work to provide robust oversight of government, but will also put alternative solutions on the table.”
While there were several new faces, the party retained some of its experienced MPs for important portfolios such as the security cluster.
Dianne Kohler-Barnard has kept her position as DA spokesman on the police, with David Maynier keeping his defence portfolio.
The opposition will have two MPs watching the justice and correctional services department — James Selfe on correctional services, and former National Prosecuting Authority senior prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach on justice.
Former caucus chairman Wilmot James moves to health, while his former deputy Geordin Hill-Lewis takes over in the trade & industry committee.
Former Independent Democrats MPs Haniff Hoosen, Lance Greyling, and Joe McGluwa will be the party’s voices on the home affairs, energy and public service & administration committees respectively.
Sej Motau will watch the presidency, while Nosimo Balindlela will be spokesman on the water and sanitation department.
“We followed a rigorous interview process with individual MPs in our caucus,” Maimane said.
“I have sought to place members in portfolios where they are not only fit for purpose, but are passionate about the work of their portfolios and are also fully capable of providing leadership in their respective portfolio allocations.” — © 2014 NewsCentral Media, with Sapa
