Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced changes to South Africa’s national executive, following internal shifts within the Democratic Alliance (DA) and consultations as part of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The Presidency said the reshuffle affects four deputy minister positions and two ministerial posts across several departments, including Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Trade, Industry and Competition, Electricity and Energy, Higher Education, Water and Sanitation, and Social Development.
In the changes, Mr Willie Aucamp has been appointed Minister of Agriculture, replacing DA leader John Steenhuisen, who has been moved to serve as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Mr David Maynier, the former Western Cape education minister, has been appointed Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, replacing Aucamp.
The Presidency said the adjustments were made following consultations with DA leadership and align with the party’s internal preference for Steenhuisen’s reassignment.
Federal leader of the DA student organisation Yusuf Cassim has been appointed Deputy Minister of Higher Education, while outgoing Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Alexandra Abrahams has been moved to the Electricity and Energy portfolio. DA Gauteng health watchdog Jack Bloom has been appointed Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa will be making changes to the national executive following consultation with the leadership of the DA as a member of the Government of National Unity,” The Presidency said.
The Social Development portfolio, which has been vacant since May following the removal of Sisisi Tolashe, has now been filled by former minister and ANC Women’s League deputy secretary-general Dina Pule.
Tolashe was previously removed amid allegations including the undisclosed use of vehicles donated by the Chinese embassy and interference in senior departmental appointments, as well as concerns over a forensic investigation into her department.
“President Ramaphosa wishes all the incoming ministers and deputy ministers well in their roles,” The Presidency said, confirming the changes made under sections 91(3)(b) and 93(1)(a) of the Constitution.
The Presidency said the reshuffle forms part of ongoing adjustments within the GNU arrangement following the 2024 general elections.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
