South Africa\u2019s governing African National Congress appointed Human Settlements minister Mmamoloko Kubayi as head of economic transformation.<\/p>\n
Kubayi, 43, succeeds Enoch Godongwana, who relinquished the powerful party position after being appointed finance minister in August. A statement on Kubayi\u2019s appointment will be issued later, ANC spokesman Pule Mabe said by phone on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ETC subcommittee plays a critical role in driving our policy decisions around economic transformation, but it also assists in populating our responses on a number of economic interventions that are being undertaken in the country,\u201d Mabe said.<\/p>\n
Kubayi is currently serving as acting finance minister while Godongwana is in Washington attending the IMF Spring Meetings, the Finance Ministry said in an emailed response to questions.<\/p>\n
She is co-chair of the Cabinet\u2019s economic cluster along with Minerals & Energy minister Gwede Mantashe. Kuabyi has been touted as a contender for the position of deputy president of the ANC when the party holds its elective conference in December.<\/p>\n
A former tourism minister, she faced criticism last year for championing Black-ownership as a requirement for access to a fund created to help the industry overcome the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
Kubayi was appointed as minister for human settlements in August. Her department will play a key role in relief efforts after South Africa\u2019s worst flooding in almost three decades claimed more than 400 lives in two provinces and destroyed thousands of homes.<\/p>\n