South Africa: Major Cabinet Reorganisation

South Africa has proceeded to an extensive Cabinet reorganisation since the end of apartheid. The reorganisation was marked by the departure of seven ministers, including communications and Labour and the swearing in of seven, the move of two, and 17 new appointed deputy-ministers.

At a press conference, President Jacob Zuma explained that these changes were designed to strengthen his team and help improve the supply of public services and living standards of the most disadvantaged. The ANC leader, who has been criticised for the persistence of social inequalities in South Africa, has declared: we need our countrymen perceive a visible improvement in water supply, electricity, health care services, education, social security, administrative services, security and a series of basic needs. We have the resources, including qualified and experienced managers: they must ensure that these services are given to the people, under the direction of ministers and deputy ministers, Zuma said. Access to the basic services remain as important as when we got back our freedom in 1994, by the end of apartheid and white domination. That is considered as a positive signal for responsibility and increased accountability. The leaving Ministers have not been satisfactory, and Zuma has made the right decision to substitute them, a close collaborator to Zuma said. One of the most noted Cabinet dismissals was that of Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda, a former head of the armed forces whose tenure had been plagued by charges of mismanagement and abuse of office. This government restructuration is partly a reaction to appease ANC allies, in particular labour unions and the Communist Party. But observers noted that political considerations were also behind many of the changes.