GNU cabinet reflects Ramaphosa’s grand compromises : Analyst

Independent political analyst, Goodenough Mashego says the new GNU Cabinet reflects the grand compromise that the President had to undertake to be able to form a government.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his 76-member National Executive, including the re-appointment of Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

Ramaphosa’s all-inclusive cabinet has 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers.

Mashego says the size of the cabinet shows that there were a lot of demands for positions.

“There was no party that was willing to get positions such as chairpersons of portfolio committees or any other positions apart from ministerial positions.

“This shows the kind of bargaining and interest that our politicians have that at the centre of their being is not service delivery, because they know that a bigger cabinet means that a big chunk of the budget will go towards the maintenance of the cabinet.”

He says it’s evident that parties joined the GNU for the perks that come with being in the executive.

Mashego has also bemoaned the hypocrisy of the DA who have been calling for a smaller cabinet over the years and questioning the executive powers of deputy ministers.

The analyst has also highlighted the sense that the President may have set other political parties up for failure.

Mashego says DA leader John Steenhuisen heading the Agriculture department will have to work alongside PAC leader Mzwanele Nyhontso who is now the minister of land reform.

He says there may be conflict already brewing in those departments that go hand in hand.

Ramaphosa says he was unable to reduce the number of cabinet portfolios, as agreed in the sixth administration.

This is in the wake of the GNU.

The president also announced that there will no longer be a Ministry of Public Enterprises adding that the coordination of the relevant public enterprises will be located in the Presidency.

Ramaphosa’s executive under the 7th administration is made up of some new and old faces.

This includes the demotion of several ANC members from ministers to deputy ministers.

The EFF has slammed the size of the cabinet saying it will only add more pressure on taxpayers.

The party’s national spokesperson Leigh-Anne Mathys says the ANC has abandoned its historical role in the liberation movement.

They maintain that the GNU was a smoke-screen for the ANC to secure a premeditated grand coalition with the DA.

The UDM has commended the inclusion of young people and women in the cabinet, creating a balanced team.

UDM Leader Bantu Holomisa has been appointed as the Deputy Minister of Defence.

The party’s secretary-general Yongama Zigebe says Holomisa’s appointment is one for the books, considering his military experience as the head of the Transkei Defence Force and Transkei Government and his over twenty years of Parliamentary service.

Zigebe has however expressed the party’s hope for Naledi Pandor to have continued with the department of International Relations.

“We trust that Minister Lamola will continue his path and build upon his achievements,” says Zigebe.

Rise Mzansi, which is the only party in the GNU that did not receive a position in the executive says while they welcome the announcement of the executive, they are disappointed by the size of the cabinet, with some ministries being served by two Deputy Ministers.

The party’s national spokesperson Mabine Seabe says they never demanded Executive positions nor were they offered positions in the Executive.

He says they look forward to playing an active role in Parliament and ensuring that those at the helm uphold the Constitution.

“Our participation in the GNU does not mean we will rubber stamp all decisions of the Executive.”

“We will scrutinise all pronouncements and decisions of the Executive, and where it is in the best interests of the people of South Africa, we will lend our support.”

Meanwhile, Economist at the North West University’s Business School, Professor Raymond Parsons, says the cabinet is good for business and investor confidence.

Parsons says the markets will likely respond positively as they digest the new mix of Cabinet appointments.

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry hopes the 7th administration will fight tooth and nail in addressing the issues facing South Africa.

The association’s CEO Alan Mukoki says the skills required to manage conflict will be a high priority given the conflicting interests and differing policy positions of the various political parties in the GNU.

“We urge the various parties to always consider the interests of the republic first and maintain the stability of the unity government.”

The members of the new executive will be sworn-in tomorrow.