A toast to change

THE timing of President Ramaphosa’s announcement of his cabinet could not have been better and the return of comeback kids Nzimande, Nene (who was still waiting for his Brics Bank post) and Gordhan (or is it the Gordian knot?) was largely anticipated.

In addition, Bheki Cele has his sheriff ’s badge back and is ready to mosey on down to his old cop shop. His statements and views always make interesting reading.

As for those who have been retained… Sfiso Buthelezi (really), Bathabile Dlamini and Gigaba (who was too pro-Gupta, but I guess that his politics of moving whichever way the wind blows does work).

Gigaba’s real game is Ramaphosa Survivor rather than Candy Crush.

Those who have been left out come as no surprise (Mbalula: I was surprised, not even as deputy minister).

Deputy President Mabuza won’t please the gender lobbyists and here too is another superb political operator whose switching to Ramaphosa disarmed the Zuma camp completely.

It is obvious the chopping and changing is not final and we may now see some changes with SOEs, provincial MECs and metro-level mayors and excos.

In a nutshell, the changes can be described with reference to the kicker of the famous beer advert of the 1980s: “Somewhat bitter, somewhat dry, never sweet.”