South African President Cyril Ramaphosa cuts cabinet ministers from 36 to 28 to fight 'bloated' government, and acheives a 50% gender-balance in cabinet
Fighting the corruption and mismanagement that has consumed billions of rand is the major issue facing the ruling African National Congress, whose election win this month was the weakest in its 25 years in power amid public frustration.
"To promote greater coherence, better coordination and improved efficiency, we reducing the number of ministers from 36 to 28," Ramaphosa said in televised address to the nation."This is a significant move of downscaling our state. Many people believed our government... was bloated and this was agreed right across the board."
"It is therefore imperative... we place priority on revitalising our economy while exercising the greatest care in the use of public funds."The main opposition Democratic Alliance also criticised the president for keeping Mabuza in what it called the first real test of Ramaphosa's tough stance on corruption.
One notable appointee in a Cabinet that Ramaphosa said was meant to reflect diversity was that of Patricia De Lille, a leader of the recently created opposition party GOOD, who will be public works and infrastructure minister.Naming his new slimline cabinet, Ramaphosa kept internationally-respected Finance Minister Tito Mboweni in place, as well as his controversial Deputy President David Mabuza.
It added that keeping Mabuza as deputy president "indicated that President Ramaphosa had to compromise to appease the Zuma faction within the ANC." Ramaphosa, 66, an anti-apartheid activist who became a wealthy businessman, faces a tough battle to drive through reforms in a country suffering from chronic unemployment, racial tension and crime.
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