Reelected South Africa President, Zuma, names first black finance minister

Reelected President of South, Africa Jacob Zuma has made dramatic changes to his cabinet, headlined by the naming of Nhlanhla Nene — the first black to be so named — as Minister of Finance.

Zuma was sworn in as President for the second time on Saturday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, after running unopposed for the position.

Announcing his new cabinet on Sunday, Zuma removed Pravin Gordhan, former minister of finance, and replaced him with Nhlanhla Nene, a former deputy of Gordhan in the key ministry.

In line with widespread expectations, he appointed his party’s (African National Congress) deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, as Deputy President.

Independent political analyst, Susan Booysens, told BussinessDay South Africa that there has been strong lobby to ensure that Ramaphosa succeeds Zuma, although there has been a strong lobby by Zuma’s supporters to ensure this does not happen, which means they will welcome Ramaphosa’s appointment.

Zuma reassigned former mining minister, Susan Shabangu, who has been embroiled in a “fisticuffs’ with miners in the platinum mines to “a brand new department within the presidency dedicated to women.”

Ngoako Ramatlhodi, former deputy minister in the prison service, was appointed Minister of Mining.

Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, was not given space in the new cabinet, while former State Security Minister, Siyabonga Cwele, was appointed head of a new ministry of telecommunications and postal services.

Here is the full list of Zuma’s new cabinet members.

• Minister in the Presidency: Jeff Radebe

• Minister of Women in the Presidency: Susan Shabangu

• Minister of Justice and Correctional Services: Michael Masutha

• Minister of Public Service and Administration: Collins Chabane

• Minister of Defence and Military Veterans: Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula

• Minister of Home Affairs: Malusi Gigaba

• Minister of Environmental Affairs: Edna Molewa

• Minister of State Security: David Mahlobo

• Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Service: Siyabonga Cwele

• Minister of Police: Nkosinathi Nhleko

• Minister of Trade and Industry: Rob Davies

• Minister of Finance: Nhlanhla Nene

• Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Senzeni Zokwana

• Minister of Water and Sanitation: Nomvula Mokonyane

• Minister of Basic Education: Angie Motshekga

• Minister of Health: Aaron Motsoaledi

• Minister of International Relations and Co-operation: Maite Nkoana-Mashabane

• Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform: Gugile Nkwinti

• Minister of Higher Education and Training: Blade Nzimande

• Minister of Economic Development: Ebrahim Patel

• Minister of Transport: Dipuo Peters

• Minister of Mineral Resources: Ngoako Ramathlodi

• Minister of Social Development: Bathabile Dlamini

• Minister of Public Enterprises: Lynne Brown

• Minister of Sport and Recreation: Fikile Mbalula

• Minister of Labour: Mildred Oliphant

• Minister of Arts and Culture: Nathi Mthethwa

• Minister of Public Works: Thulas Nxesi

• Minister of Public Works: Thulas Nxesi

• Minister of Small Business Development: Lindiwe Zulu

• Minister of Energy: Tina Joemat-Pettersson

• Minister of Science and Technology: Naledi Pandor

• Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Pravin Gordhan

• Minister of Communications: Faith Muthambi

• Minister of Human Settlements: Lindiwe Sisulu

• Minister of Tourism: Derek Hanekom