Big cabinet reshuffle coming
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has confirmed that it has asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to reshuffle its members within his cabinet.
The party issued a statement on Wednesday (17 June) confirming earlier reports that various DA ministers and deputies would be moved around.
This includes a demotion for former DA leader and the current agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen.
New DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis confirmed that he has written to Ramaphosa setting out several changes to the Democratic Alliance’s representation in the National Executive.
This followed a “careful assessment of the DA’s team in the Government of National Unity,” he said.
“It is my judgment that the renewed team announced today will strengthen the DA’s contribution to government and give better effect to the mandate received from 3.5 million voters in the 2024 elections.”
The biggest change is the request to replace John Steenhuisen as Minister of Agriculture with current Environment Minister, Willie Aucamp.
Steenhuisen has been a particularly controversial minister in the portfolio, having drawn criticism from farmers for his handling of the country’s Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak.
Hill-Lewis said that Aucamp’s immediate mandate in the portfolio would be to resolve ongoing legal proceedings relating to FMD vaccine and to “work with the entire sector to overcome the crisis”.
“Aucamp will also further the work of opening new markets to our agricultural products to help grow the economy and create jobs,” he said.
Replacing Aucamp in the environmental portfolio, the DA wants Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education David Maynier to take up the position of Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
Steenhuisen isn’t being removed from the executive, however. Instead he will be moved to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition as Deputy Minister.
“He will focus on the successes he has achieved in expanding market access, and now adding new areas of work in supporting industrial growth, improving competitiveness, and working with business and labour to help unlock job creation,” Hill-Lewis said.
Steenhuisen will replace Alexandra Abrahams, who will, in turn, move to the role of Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy.
Two other appointments include Yusuf Cassim, who has served on the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, moving to Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training.
Jack Bloom, the longest-serving member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, will take up the position of Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation.
“These changes demonstrate Democratic Alliance values in action. We believe in accountability in public office, high standards of performance, and responsiveness to the needs of South Africans,” the DA leader said.
While the appointment and shuffling of ministers is the prerogative of the president, the terms of negotiating the formation of the Government of National Unity saw the signing parties allocated specific portfolios and positions.
Ramaphosa previously made it clear that it is up to the parties to determine which of their members fill those positions.
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