Zuma announces new telecoms ministry
President Jacob Zuma has announced the launch of a new Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services to be led by former Minister of State Security, Siyabonga Cwele.
“We have established a ministry of telecommunications and postal services,” Zuma said while making his Cabinet announcement.
“Our country has a fast growing telecommunications sector which in 2012 was estimated at being worth R180 billion.”
The aim of the new ministry was to get more value out of the telecommunications sector, he said.
Cwele moves from the department of state security, having previously served as the Minister of Intelligence. Cwele served in ANC underground structures between 1984 and 1990.
Siyabonga Cwele
Cwele received an MBchB from the University of KwaZulu Natal in 1984, and later also completed his MPhil in Economic Policy at the University of Stellenbosch
Cwele essentially replaces Yunus Carrim, who was widely seen as the best communications minister the country has seen over the last decade.
Carrim replaced Dina Pule as communications minister on 10 July 2013.
Pule was embroiled in a number of scandals, which was seen as the main reason for her downfall.
The Department of Communications has seen numerous ministers over the last few years, including:
- Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri – June 1999 until her death on 7 April 2009;
- Manto Tshabalala-Msimang – acting minister until the next minister was announced;
- Siphiwe Nyanda – 10 May 2009 to 31 October 2010;
- Roy Padayachie – 31 October 2010 to 24 October 2011;
- Dina Pule – 24 October 2011 to 9 July 2013;
- Yunus Carrim – 9 July 2013 to 25 May 2014.
The communications department had been reconfigured to include more functions, led by new communications minister, Faith Muthambi.
Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams stays on as the deputy communications minister.
“We have established a new communications ministry which will be responsible for overarching communication policy and strategy, information dissemination and publicity, as well as the branding of the country abroad,” Zuma said.
“This ministry will be formed out of the following components: the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, the SA Broadcasting Corporation, Government Communication and Information Systems, Brand SA and the Media Development and Diversity Agency.”
Lindiwe Zulu was named the Minister of the newly set-up ministry of Small business development.
“You will recall that we stated in the inaugural address that the economy will take centre stage,” Zuma said.
“The development of the small business sector is critical to economic development and transformation.”
Pravin Gordhan is now the Minister of Corporate Governance with his former position as Minister of Finance taken over by his former deputy, Nhlanhla Nene. The role of Deputy Minister of Finance will now be filled by Mcebisi Jonas.
Transport Minister Dipuo Peters will remain in charge of the portfolio, Zuma announced.
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