Spokesperson for the ANCYL National Youth Task Team (NYTT) Sizophila Mkhize has raised concern that the recent cabinet reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa does not reflect youth representation.
Mkhize has described Ramaphosa’s decision as the recycling of the old generation.
“With the recent cabinet reshuffle. We feel like this is a vote of no confidence by government to young people. We are not going to take that lightly. We are not happy. We want to state that without sugar-coating that as young people we are not happy that there’s no single young person that was considered in this cabinet reshuffle whereas young people form a large number of the population of South Africa. Actually, it’s a recycle, recycle of old guards, old people that have done wrong, old people that committed blenders in the departments that they had led before and now they are given other departments.”
Reshuffled cabinet
President Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday changes to the national executive of the country. The big changes in the ministers of different government departments include Finance Minister Tito Mboweni and Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, who have both stepped down. Enoch Godongwana will take over as Finance Minister and Joe Phaahla as Health Minister.
President announces changes to the national executive:
Other changes in the cabinet are as follows:
Ministers:
- Defence and Military Veterans: Thandi Modise
- Communications and Digital Technologies: Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
- The Presidency: Mondli Gungubele
- Human Settlements: Mmamoloko Kubayi
- Public Service and Administration: Ayanda Dlodlo
- Small Business Development: Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams
- Tourism: Lindiwe Sisulu
- Water and Sanitation: Senzo Mchunu
Deputy Ministers:
- The Presidency: Pinky Kekana – second deputy minister
- Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform: Zoleka Capa
- Communications and Digital Technologies: Philly Mapulane
- Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Thembi Nkadimeng
- Health: Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo
- Mineral Resources and Energy: Dr Nobuhle Nkabane
- Public Service and Administration: Dr Chana Pilane-Majake
- Small Business Development: Sdumo Dlamini
- Transport: Sindisiwe Chikunga
- Water and Sanitation: Dikeledi Magadzi
- Zizi Kodwa is appointed as Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for state security.
The President also announced that government is doing away with the Ministry of State Security and places political responsibility for the State Security Agency in the Presidency.
The President also announced other changes.
“We have therefore decided that water and sanitation should be a separate Ministry, which will enable a dedicated focus on ensuring that all South Africans have access to a secure and sustainable supply of this precious resource.”
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who was in the Defence portfolio, will be deployed to a new position, and the president thanked her for her service to the nation and dedication to her responsibilities.
