This is a copy of the speech delivered by President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria on Sunday evening, where he announced his new cabinet ministers. The president announced a new department, telecommunications and postal services, will replace communications. Minister Yunus Carrim has been replaced by former state security minister Siyabonga Cwele.
The full, unedited text of Zuma’s speech follows.
Fellow South Africans, ladies and gentlemen of the media,
I am pleased to join you on Africa Day, as we conclude our transition to a new administration following the fifth national general elections.
I announced on Saturday that we have entered the second phase of our transition to a national democratic society. I also said this would be a radical phase of socio-economic transformation.
It is my pleasure today to announce the members of the National Executive, who have been tasked with improving and speeding up the implementation of our progressive policies and programmes.
The team will implement the five year Medium Term Strategic Framework of government, which has been developed using the National Development Plan and the ANC Manifesto.
To improve implementation and ensure impact, we have reconfigured some departments while others have been expanded to improve capacity.
I will briefly outline the changes and then announce the names of the new ministers and deputy ministers.
We have established a Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services.
Our country has a fast growing telecommunications sector which in 2012 was estimated at being worth R180 billion. We also see a great developmental value in the Post Office given its role of delivering financial services to remote areas of our country.
This new department will ensure that the country derives more value out of the booming information communications and technology industry and the postal services sector.
The National Planning Commission as well as the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Ministries in the Presidency have been combined into one Ministry to harmonise the planning and monitoring functions.
This Ministry will also continue to be responsible for youth development.
We have established a new Communications Ministry, which will be responsible for overarching communication policy and strategy, information dissemination and publicity as well as the branding of the country abroad.
Improved communication and marketing will promote an informed citizenry and also assist the country to promote investments, economic growth and job creation.
This Ministry will be formed out of the following components:
- The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa
- The SA Broadcasting Corporation
- Government Communications and Information System (GCIS)
- Brand SA
- The Media Development and Diversity Agency
Ladies and gentlemen,
The functions related to support for people with disabilities and children, will be transferred to the Department of Social Development.
The current Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disability is now the Ministry of Women which will be located in the Presidency.
The Women’s Ministry will champion the achievement of women’s socio-economic empowerment and women’s rights.
To further improve efficiency in the criminal justice system, we have combined the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development with the Correctional Services department.
The Department will now be called the Department of Justice and Correctional Services.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We have made an undertaking to significantly improve the provision of water and sanitation to our communities in the new term.
In this regard, we have established the Ministry of Water and Sanitation.
You will recall that we stated in the inauguration address that the economy will take centre-stage. The development of the small business sector is critical to economic development and transformation.
We have thus established a new Ministry for Small Business Development.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is now my pleasure to announce the members of the National Executive.
The Deputy President is Mr Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ministers
1. The Minister in the Presidency is Mr Jeff Radebe.2. The Minister of Women in the Presidency is Ms Susan Shabangu.
3. The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services is Mr Michael Masutha.
4. The Minister of Public Service and Administration is Mr Collins Chabane.
5. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
6. The Minister of Home Affairs is Mr Malusi Gigaba.
7. The Minister of Environmental Affairs is Ms Edna Molewa.
8. The Minister of State Security is Mr David Mahlobo.
9. The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services is Dr Siyabonga Cwele.
10. The Minister of Police is Mr Nkosinathi Nhleko.
11. The Minister of Trade and Industry is Dr Rob Davies.
12. The Minister of Finance is Mr Nhlanhla Nene.
13. The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is Mr Senzeni Zokwana.
14. The Minister of Water and Sanitation is Ms Nomvula Mokonyane.
15. The Minister of Basic Education is Ms Angie Motshekga.
16. The Minister of Health is Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
17. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
18. The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform is Mr Gugile Nkwinti.
19. The Minister of Higher Education and Training is Dr Bonginkosi “Blade” Nzimande.
20. The Minister of Economic Development is Mr Ebrahim Patel.
21. The Minister of Transport is Ms Dipuo Peters.
22. The Minister of Mineral Resources is Adv Ngoako Ramathlodi.
23. The Minister of Social Development is Ms Bathabile Dlamini.
24. The Minister of Public Enterprises is Ms Lyn Brown.
25. The Minister of Sport and Recreation is Mr Fikile Mbalula.
26. The Minister of Labour is Ms Mildred Oliphant.
27. The Minister of Arts and Culture is Mr Nathi Mthethwa.
28. The Minister of Public Works is Mr Thulas Nxesi.
29. The Minister of Small Business Development is Ms Lindiwe Zulu.
30. The Minister of Energy is Ms Tina Joemat-Peterssen.
31. The Minister of Science and Technology is Ms Naledi Pandor.
32. The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is Mr Pravin Gordhan.
33. The Minister of Communications is Ms Faith Muthambi.
34. The Minister of Human Settlements is Ms Lindiwe Sisulu.
35. The Minister of Tourism is Mr Derek Hanekom.
Deputy ministers
The Deputy Ministers are the following;1. The Deputy Minister of Human settlements is Ms Zoe Kota-Hendricks.
2. The Deputy Minister of Basic Education is Mr Enver Surty.
3. The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, responsible for provincial and local government is Mr Andries Nel.
4. The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, responsible for traditional affairs, is Mr Obed Bapela.
5. The Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Kebby Maphatsoe.
6. The Deputy Minister in the Presidency is Mr Buti Manamela.
7. The Deputy Minister of Tourism is Ms Thokozile Xasa.
8. The Deputy Minister of Health is Dr Joe Phaahla.
9. The Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration is Ms Ayanda Dlodlo.
10. The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs is Ms Fatima Chohan.
11. The Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises is Mr Gratitude Magwanishe.
The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services will have two deputy ministers. They are:
12. Mr John Jeffery, responsible for the justice and constitutional development component and
13. Mr Thabang Makwetla responsible for the correctional services portfolio.
14. The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs is Ms Barbara Thomson.
15. The Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation is Mr Gert Oosthuizen.
16. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is Mr Bheki Cele.
17. The Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal services, Ms Hlengiwe Mkhize.
18. The Deputy Minister of State Security is Ms Ellen Molekane.
19. The Deputy Minister of Police is Maggie Sotyu.
20. The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, is Mzwandile Masina.
International relations and cooperation will remain with two deputy ministers.
These are:
21. Ms Noma-India Mfeketho and
22. Mr Lluwelyn Landers.
23. The Deputy Minister of Finance is Mr Mcebisi Jonas.
24. The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation is Ms Pam Tshwete.
About 17 million South Africans live in rural areas. However, rural areas bear the brunt of poverty, joblessness and gross inequality, particularly former homeland areas.
Given this reality, I have decided to appoint two Deputy Ministers for Rural Development and Land Reform. They are:
25. Mr Mcebisi Skwatsha and
26. Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini.
27. The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training is Mr Mduduzi Manana.
28. The Deputy Minister of Economic Development is Mr Madala Masuku.
29. The Deputy Minister of Transport is Ms Sindi Chikunga.
30. The Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources is Mr Godfrey Oliphant.
31. The Deputy Minister of Social Development is Ms Henrietta Bogopane-Zulu.
The labour portfolio will gain a deputy minister given the important role of the department in the economic cluster.
32. The Deputy Minister is Inkosi Patekile Holomisa.
33. The Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture is Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi.
34. The Deputy Minister of Public Works is Mr Jeremy Cronin.
35. The Deputy Minister of Small Business development is Ms Elizabeth Thabethe.
36. The Deputy Minister of Energy is Ms Thembi Majola.
37. The Deputy Minister of Communications is Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
I have appointed 20 men and 15 women Ministers as well as 20 men and 16 women deputy ministers.
We are happy to be moving closer to our target of having more women in Cabinet and the national executive as a whole.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and all the Ministers and Deputy Ministers who served in the fourth administration.
Their contribution to the improvement of the quality of life of our people is highly appreciated.
We wish Deputy President Ramaphosa and all the newly appointed Ministers and Deputy Ministers all the best as they lead the nation in moving the country forward.
I thank you.
