President Jacob Zuma has spoken out for the first time on the appointment of David van Rooyen as minister of finance.<\/p>\n
Explaining his decision in a statement, Zuma said the “urgency of the changes in the leadership of the National Treasury” was because nominations needed to be sent to Shanghai in terms of the head of the African Regional Centre of the New Development Bank\/BRICS Bank, which will be based in Johanesburg”.<\/p>\n
Zuma said former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene had been nominated for the post.<\/p>\n
“Mr Nene is our candidate for this position. We are fully backing his candidature, knowing full well that he will excel and make the nation proud in his next assignment.<\/p>\n
Notably, Zuma said that the axing of Nene has not signalled a change in government’s stance on the fiscal policy, adding that the new minister will strengthen SA’s path and will\u00a0continue to support all efforts aimed at improving South Africans’ lives.<\/p>\n
Maintaining a prudent fiscal position remains one of government\u2019s top priorities, Zuma said,\u00a0adding that government will not abandon the fiscal path that it has\u00a0chosen in the last few years.<\/p>\n
With\u00a0News24<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n More on finance in SA<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch: First address from South Africa\u2019s new finance minister<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Why a new finance minister changes everything for SA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n