Month: June 2024

Under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, the sixth administration has achieved the first primary budget surplus in 15 years, said the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

The last time government had a budget surplus was before the 2008 global financial crisis.

‘This commendable achievement was attained due to the support the National Treasury received from the President, the Minister of Finance, and the Cabinet of the sixth administration despite many challenges that confronted the national fiscus,’ the GCIS said in a statement on Saturday.

These challenges include the economy that had to recover from the global economic crisis, State Capture, prolonged financial constraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the civil unrest of July 2021.

‘The sixth government administration put in place prudent fiscal measures aimed at mitigating the country’s dire economic situation, including the implementation of cost-cutting measures within the government, fewer bailouts to state-owned e
ntities, strong monitoring of key performance measures to improve their performance, and the deployment of multi-disciplinary intervention teams that included the private sector where applicable.

‘State-owned enterprises were propelled to impactful turn-around plans implementation, which has resulted in green shots in self-sustaining business models. Critical economic growth drivers, such as infrastructure development, received necessary support and focus. Under President Ramaphosa’s leadership, the government engaged regularly with business and labour leaders, whose input is crucial to the economic growth conversation,’ the GCIS said.

Government said that as the seventh administration begins its work; it does so with the advantage of a budget surplus, which will support the implementation of outstanding goals of Vision 2030 – the National Development Plan.

The government reiterated the importance of collaboration to achieve faster economic growth through job creation and public-private partnerships, amon
g other strategies.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce a new National Executive this evening, 30 June 2024, at 9pm.

The announcement, which will be in the form of a televised address to the nation, follows the inauguration of President Ramaphosa on Wednesday, 19 June 2024, which in turn followed the President’s election by the National Assembly on Friday, 14 June.

The new National Executive will constitute the seventh Democratic Administration as a Government of National Unity, comprising a diversity of political parties as an outcome of the National and Provincial Elections held on Wednesday, 29 May 2024.

The SABC will provide a content feed to all media and PresidencyZA will also live stream the proceedings.

Source: South African Government News Agency

While the Proteas came second in the ICC Men’s T20 final, their defeat showcased the resilience and spirit of national pride, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday.

‘Well done to the Proteas for an outstanding performance during the tournament to reach the final. The nation shares your pain in your fall at the last hurdle, but we thank you for hoisting our flag high on the global stage, playing against India.

‘You have shown resilience and the true spirit that reflects our nation’s pride. We also offer congratulations to Rohit Sharma and the Board of Control for Cricket in India on their unbeaten run on the way to a well-deserved championship,’ the President said in a statement.

The President’s comments follow Saturday’s game in which India won by seven runs in Barbados.

Government has acknowledged the efforts and sportsmanship displayed by the country’s national cricket team.

While the outcome did not favour South Africa, government said the team’s performance has been commendable, and they have exem
plified the unifying power of sports in bringing the nation together.

READ | Government recognises commendable performance by Proteas

‘Today’s results may not have been in our favour, but the performance of our cricket team in the finals has made us proud. The team showed immense skill and determination throughout the tournament. We commend them for their efforts and thank them for representing our country with honour,’Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) acting Director-General, Nomonde Mnukwa said on Saturday.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Sunday 30 June 2024, announced the new members of the National Executive for the seventh administration, which is inclusive of all the parties to the Government of National Unity.

The highly anticipated announcement took place after Ramaphosa was elected as the President by the National Assembly on Friday, 14 June 2024, after which he was inaugurated on Wednesday, 19 June 2024.

The eleven parties to the GNU include the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Good Party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Freedom Front Plus, United Democratic Movement, Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi and the United Africans Transformation.

Addressing the nation on Sunday evening, the President said given the challenges that the country faces and considering the electoral mandate this government must implement, he has decided to make certain changes to the national government portfolios.

‘In the course of the sixth democratic administration, w
e indicated our intention to reduce the number of portfolios in the National Executive. However, due to the need to ensure that the National Executive is inclusive of all the parties to the Government of National Unity, this has not been possible.

‘In some instances, we have considered it necessary to separate certain portfolios to ensure that there is sufficient focus on key issues,’ Ramaphosa said at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Changes to portfolios

He said the Ministries of Electricity and Energy will be merged.

‘There will be a separate Ministry of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. The Ministry of Agriculture will be separated from the Ministry of Land Reform and Rural Development.

‘The Ministry of Higher Education will be separated from the ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development will be separated from the ministry of Correctional Services.

‘There will no longer be a Ministry of Public Enterprises. The coordination of the relevant
public enterprises will be located in the Presidency during the process of implementing a new shareholder model,’ the President said.

The new National Executive

Ramaphosa has decided to make the following appointments to the National Executive:

The Deputy President is Paul Mashatile.

The Minister of Agriculture is John Steenhuisen.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture is Rosemary Nokuzola Capa.

The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development is Mzwanele Nyhontso.

The Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development is Chupu Stanley Mathabatha.

The Minister of Basic Education is Siviwe Gwarube.

The Deputy Minister of Basic Education is Reginah Mhaule.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies is Solly Malatsi.

The Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies is Mondli Gungubele.

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is Velinkosi Hlabisa.

The Deputy Ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs are Dickson Masemola and Zolile Bu
rns-Ncamashe.

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is Angie Motshekga.

The Deputy Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans are Bantu Holomisa and Richard Mkhungo.

The Minister of Electricity and Energy is Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

The Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy is Samantha Graham.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation is Blade Nzimande.

The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation is Nomalungelo Gina.

The Minister of Employment and Labour is Nomakhosazana Meth.

The Deputy Ministers of Employment and Labour are Jomo Sibiya and Phumzile Mgcina.

The Minister of Finance is Enoch Godongwana.

The Deputy Ministers of Finance are David Masondo and Ashor Sarupen.

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is Dion George.

The Deputy Ministers of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment are Narend Singh and Bernice Swarts.

The Minister of Health is Aaron Motsoaledi.

The Deputy Minister of Health is Joe Phaahla.

The Minister of Higher Education i
s Nobuhle Nkabane.

The Deputy Ministers of Higher Education are Buti Manamela and Mimmy Gondwe.

The Minister of Home Affairs is Leon Schreiber.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs is Njabulo Nzuza.

The Minister of Human Settlements is Mmamoloko Kubayi.

The Deputy Minister of Human Settlements is Tandi Mahambehlala.

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is Ronald Lamola.

The Deputy Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation are Alvin Botes and Tandi Moraka.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is Thembi Nkadimeng.

The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is Andries Nel.

The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is Gwede Mantashe.

The Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala.

The Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is Maropene Ramokgopa.

The Deputy Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is Seiso Mohai.

The Minister of Police is Senzo Mchunu.

The Deputy Ministers
of Police are Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale.

The Minister in the Presidency is Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

The Deputy Ministers in the Presidency are Nonceba Mhlauli and Kenneth Morolong.

The Minister of Public Service and Administration is Mzamo Buthelezi.

The Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration is Pinky Kekana.

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is Dean Macpherson.

The Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is Sihle Zikalala.

The Minister of Small Business Development is Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.

The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development is Jane Sithole.

The Minister of Social Development is Sisisi Tolashe.

The Deputy Minister of Social Development is Ganief Hendricks.

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture is Gayton McKenzie.

The Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture is Peace Mabe.

The Minister of Tourism is Patricia De Lille.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism is Maggie Sotyu.

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition is Parks Tau.

The
Deputy Ministers of Trade, Industry and Competition are Zuko Godlimpi and Andrew Whitfield.

The Minister of Transport is Barbara Creecy.

The Deputy Minister of Transport is Mkhuleko Hlengwa.

The Minister of Water and Sanitation is Pemmy Majodina.

The Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation are David Mahlobo and Isaac Seitlholo.

The Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is Sindisiwe Chikunga.

The Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is Mmapaseka Steve Letsike.

The Minister of Correctional Services is Pieter Groenewald.

The Deputy Minister of Correctional Services is Lindiwe Ntshalintshali.C

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Paul Mashatile as Deputy President of South Africa in the seventh administration.

Mashatile is reprising his role from the sixth administration.

This was announced by President Ramaphosa in an address to the nation on Sunday night, announcing the country’s new cabinet.

Mashatile served as Deputy President from March 2023 following the resignation of former Deputy President David Mabuza.

In the sixth administration, Deputy President Mashatile was tasked with discharging the following duties:

Leader of Government Business in Parliament.

Leading Government effort to fast-track land reform and the coordination of Government programmes to accelerate land reform and agricultural support.

Implement Rapid Response interventions on service delivery and trouble-shooting in service delivery hotspots.

Assisting the President in the roll-out of the District Development Model through effective coordination of the different spheres of government which will improve the functio
ning of municipalities and address community concerns.

Leading the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and the country’s integrated response to the challenges of HIV and AIDS.

Special Envoy on South Sudan and leading peace missions on the continent as required.

Leading the National Human Resource Development Council and fostering collaboration between government and social partners towards addressing the shortage of skills in critical sectors of the economy.

Promoting Social Cohesion Initiatives with a particular focus on Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, as well as Military Veterans. In the term of the sixth administration Deputy President Mashatile also chaired the Governance, State Capacity and Institutional Development and the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cabinet Committees.

Mashatile hails from Gauteng and was the Minister of Arts and Culture between 2010 and 2014.

He has also served in various positions in the Gauteng Provincial Government, including as Member of the Executive Co
uncil (MEC) for Finance and Economic Affairs, MEC for Housing and MEC Transport, Roads and Public Works.

He was an anti-apartheid activist prior to the dawn of South Africa’s democracy in 1994 and was arrested and detained for some four years by the brutal Apartheid government.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially announced his new cabinet and South Africa is now firmly into the seventh administration – led by what the President has termed an ‘unprecedented’ Government of National Unity (GNU).

The President announced the members of cabinet on Sunday evening, about a month after the National and Provincial Elections were held on 29 May 2024.

‘The incoming government will prioritise rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and the creation of a more just society by tackling poverty and inequality,’ President Ramaphosa assured the country, as he addressed the nation from the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

This year’s General Election results produced no outright majority winner – tasking various political leaders to work together to form a government, much like what was required at the dawn of democracy in 1994.

Some 11 political formations have come together and signed a Statement of Intent to work together to form a GNU, reflective of the representatives from those part
ies.

‘The establishment of the Government of National Unity in its current form is unprecedented in the history of our democracy. We have had to consider how to form the new government in a manner that advances the national interest, that gives due consideration to the outcome of the election and that makes use of the respective capabilities within each of the parties.

‘We have had to consider not only the immediate needs of the country. We have also had to consider the stability, effectiveness and durability of the government we are establishing,’ he said.

Serving all South Africans

With Ministers and Deputy Ministers now coming from a plethora of parties, President Ramaphosa told the nation that those appointed to those positions will work to serve all South Africans and not just those who voted for them.

‘These men and women we have appointed to the executive are drawn from all corners of our country. They reflect the diversity of our nation. They have a responsibility to work together to serve the pe
ople as a whole.

‘None of the members of the National Executive has been appointed to serve the interests of a particular constituency, a particular party or a particular section of society,’ he said.

Strengthening democracy

Turning to the length of time it has taken to form a cabinet, President Ramaphosa soothed concerned South Africans – pointing out that other countries have taken longer to walk the same path.

‘[Many] people have pointed to the experiences of other countries that have a far longer history of democracy, where the formation of multi-party governments have sometimes taken several months.

‘As a relatively young democracy, we should be proud that we have moved to establish a government comprised of eleven parties within such a short space of time.

‘Through our discussions we have been able to build consensus on the tasks of government. We have shown that there are no problems that are too difficult or too intractable that they cannot be solved through dialogue,’ he emphasised.

National
Dialogue

With the cabinet announced, a National Dialogue is expected to be convened by the incoming GNU and other formations in the ‘spirit of partnership and collaboration’.

‘Through this National Dialogue, all parties, civil society groups, labour, business and other stakeholders will be invited to work together to address the critical challenges facing the nation.

‘We call on all South Africans to participate in the National Dialogue and to give their support to this Government of National Unity as it begins its work.

‘As the leaders of political parties, as Ministers and Deputy Ministers, as public representatives, we understand and accept the responsibility that we bear. We have all been called upon to serve the people of this country, and we will do so to the utmost of our ability,’ President Ramaphosa concluded.

Source: South African Government News Agency