President Jacob Zuma appoints new Ministers

President Jacob Zuma has beefed up the National Executive by appointing three new Ministers and four Deputy Ministers.

When President Jacob Zuma introduced the incoming members of the National Executive he said that 20 years of democracy have changed the face of our country, and the last five years have pushed that change forward. The achievements are due to the hard work of many of our Ministers, Premiers, Deputy Ministers, MECs, Mayors and many others who have worked hard in leading the process of transformation and improving the quality of life of our people - to take that change forward, President made some changes to the National Executive.

Former Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mr Lechesa Tsenoli has taken over from Mr Richard Baloyi as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Communication also sees a change with Mr Yunus Carrim coming into office. Human Settlement comes under the leadership of Ms Connie September who replaces Mr Tokyo Sexwale. Former Transport Minister Mr Ben Martins has moved to Energy and Ms Dipuo Peters moves to Transport.

The President also appointed four new Deputy Ministers. Mr John Jeffery takes over from Mr Andries Nel at Justice and Constitutional Development. Deputy Minister Nel has moved to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Mr Michael Masutha takes over as Deputy Minister at Science and Technology, and Ms Pamela Tshwete will be the new Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform.

“We thank the outgoing Ministers for their contribution in taking the work of government forward and creating a better life for all. We wish all incoming members of the National Executive all the best in their new portfolios,” said President Zuma.

Meanwhile, Mr Stanley Mathabatha has been appointed as new Premier of Limpopo. The new Premier appointed eight new Members of the Executive Council (MECs).

The new Limpopo MECs are:

• Public Works: Namane Masemola
• Agriculture: Rosina Semenya
• Health and Social Development: Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba
• Sport, Arts and Culture: Merriam Ramadwa
• Provincial Treasury: Rudolf Phala
• Roads and Transport: Lehlogonolo Masoga
• Economic Development Environment and Tourism: Seaparo Sekoati
• Co-operative Governance and Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs: Ishmael Kgetjepe