South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a new cabinet, breaking weeks of deadlock that followed the recent elections. This comes after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Ramaphosa named 32 ministers late Sunday, forming a government of national unity. The ANC, which has dominated South African politics for decades, will hold 20 of these positions. The Democratic Alliance (DA) secured six posts, while smaller coalition parties filled the remaining slots.
The power-sharing arrangement was forced upon Ramaphosa after the ANC received only 40% of the vote in the May 29 elections. This is a significant drop from the 60% or more they traditionally enjoyed. The DA, the ANC’s main rival, won 21% of the vote.
The new government aims to tackle pressing issues such as poverty, poor public services, and high rates of inequality and unemployment. “We have shown that no problems are too difficult to solve through dialogue,” Ramaphosa stated.
The formation of the new cabinet followed a month of complex negotiations and concessions from the ANC. DA leader John Steenhuisen was appointed minister of agriculture, reflecting the coalition’s need to balance power among its members. However, the ANC retained control over the trade and industry ministry, with Paul Mashatile continuing as deputy president.
In a statement, Steenhuisen expressed optimism about the new coalition. “We look forward to bringing real and tangible change to the millions who voted for it,” he said.
Political analyst Melanie Verwoerd praised the cabinet overhaul, saying it opened up the political scene to new leaders and encouraged compromise. “It’s a major shake-up with very few old faces, which is positive,” Verwoerd commented.
The success of this coalition will depend on the ability of former political rivals to work together. The DA aims to dismantle some of the ANC’s black empowerment programs, arguing they have mainly benefited a politically connected elite. They also seek to abolish the minimum wage.
In contrast, the ANC supports the expropriation of land without compensation, a contentious issue rooted in the country’s colonial and apartheid history. The DA opposes this policy, which aims to redistribute land to black farmers.
The cabinet announcement marks a significant step in South Africa’s democratic journey. The next challenge will be whether this coalition can effectively address the country’s deep-seated issues.
With the new government in place, South Africans are watching closely to see if this unprecedented coalition can bring about meaningful change. The pressure is on for Ramaphosa and his team to deliver on their promises and navigate the complex political landscape.
Source: Newsday
