Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Cyril ushers in new dawn
State of the Nation Address promises hope Cabinet post jockeying begins
SOUTH Africa faces “tough decisions” to boost economic growth after years of stagnation and boost job creation said President Cyril Ramaphosa in a triumphant maiden State of the Nation Address yesterday, a day after his inauguration.
In a speech aimed at reassuring global markets and winning the confidence of the nation, the former union leader turned billionaire emphasised that the country was moving into a new era of hope.
“We should honour Madiba by putting behind us the era of discord, disunity and disillusionment,” Ramaphosa said.
“We should put behind us the era of diminishing trust in public institutions and weakened confidence in leaders. We should put all the negativity that has dogged our country behind us because a new dawn is upon us.
“It is a new dawn that is inspired by our collective memory of Nelson Mandela and the changes that are unfolding.
“As we rid our minds of all negativity, we should reaffirm our belief that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. For though we are a diverse people, we are one nation.”
Ramaphosa promised to transform the mining sector, fight corruption and speed up the redistribution of land while placing job creation and education at the top of his agenda.
Ramaphosa said his government was committed to “policy certainty and consistency”, in contrast to his scandal- plagued predecessor, Jacob Zuma, who was criticised for policy shifts and unpredictable cabinet changes that rocked domestic financial markets and confounded investors. Zuma reluctantly resigned earlier this week at the order of the ANC.
Ramaphosa’s election as president, which was unopposed in Parliament, has prompted a wave of optimism among South Africans hungry for change after nine years of economic stagnation and corruption scandals. Zuma denies all wrongdoing.
“Tough decisions have to be made to close our fiscal gap, stabilise our debt and restore our state-owned enterprises to health,” said Ramaphosa, adding that the creation of jobs was a priority for this year. He said mining had potential for growth and jobs.
“We need to see mining as a sunrise industry,” he said.
Financial markets have rallied since Ramaphosa took over from Zuma as ANC leader in December, as investors warmed to his pledges to straighten out the country’s struggling state-owned enterprises and woo overseas investment, an approach he reiterated last night.
Ramaphosa effectively fired Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini by telling Parliament his government would not tolerate people who undermine Constitutional Court judgments on social grants. The speech also probably signalled the exit of Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown, highlighting the urgency of fixing ailing stateowned entities.
Ramaphosa said he would cut the size of his cabinet from 35. He said they would appoint a new head of the National Prosecuting Authority.
He also vowed to crack down on corruption and state capture, saying those responsible must be arrested and that law enforcement agencies were on top of the situation.
Ramaphosa ended by quoting the late Hugh Masekela’s song, Thuma Mina, in which he looks forward to a dawn of renewal. The speech was largely welcomed.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane, while congratulating Ramaphosa on his speech criticised the insistence on expropriation without compensation.
“It’s a welcome initiative to have a president who is engaged; those are important things. The crucial issues is the focus on young people, something that I’ve been very passionate about. Let’s get young people in the workforce, I welcome these initiatives,” said Maimane.
EFF leader Julius Malema said Ramaphosa had come without a clear plan on funding free higher education.
“There is no plan, he told us what we wanted to hear,” he said.
Malema insisted that Ramaphosa should fire Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, who he described as a “deputy delinquent”, before he delivered his budget speech on Wednesday.
Gareth van Onselen, head of pol- AS NEWLY elected President Cyril Ramaphosa was putting the final touches to his maiden State of the Nation Address yesterday, a frantic jockeying for ministerial posts was hotting up among some of his loyalists.
This was as a host of ministers and deputy ministers implicated in state capture and other corrupt activities, as well as those seen as incompetent, were expected to be shown the door.
Ramaphosa, who was sworn in as the president on Thursday, is under pressure from within the ANC as well as opposition parties and business to axe errant ministers. He is also expected to merge some departments to reduce the size of the cabinet, which has been criticised for being bloated and stacked with former president Jacob Zuma’s loyalists.
While Ramaphosa is yet to indicate when he would reshuffle the cabinet, speculation is rife that he could do this before the Budget speech on Wednesday, possibly as early as this weekend.
In his first State of the Nation Address last night, Ramaphosa spoke of change and renewal after years of criticism against his predecessor who resigned under pressure this week.
Zuma’s presidency was dogged by controversy and allegations of state capture and criminal behaviour.
ANC insiders said Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu was widely touted to become Ramaphosa’s choice for deputy president.
This would all but end the presidential hopes of Nkosazana DlaminiZuma, another possible candidate along with Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor.
“Lindiwe is the president (Ramaphosa)’s obvious choice. She is an astute politician who is vastly experienced in government,” said an ANC insider.
“Also, the ANC understands the
importance of gender parity, and for the government to be seen as serious about this, it has to start at the top level.”
This was backed by another source. “Obviously gender parity was the consideration, but Lindiwe has all the attributes to serve as the deputy president and future president.”
Ahead of the ANC elective conference in Nasrec in December, Sisulu abandoned her campaign to become Ramaphosa’s running mate as his deputy.
With speculation rife that Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba was due to be redeployed to another portfolio, possibly for a second stint at Home Affairs, ANC treasurer Zweli Mkhize is said to be lobbying senior ANC members to take over the Treasury.
Mkhize is on the list of prospective newcomers to the cabinet that has been circulating on social media with a parliamentary letterhead.
Also on the list is ANC Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu, former ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa and fellow national executive committee members Senzo Mchunu, David Masondo and Ronald Lamola as well as Cosatu’s second vice-president, Zingiswa Losi.
“Zweli is openly campaigning. He’s going around lobbying people to get Ramaphosa to appoint him. But I doubt if his wish will be granted,” said an insider closer to Ramaphosa.
Mkhize had not responded to a text message left on his cellphone at the time of publication.
A source close to Gigaba said the minister had resigned himself to being redeployed. Gigaba sounded unfazed when contacted yesterday. “It doesn’t concern me. I have work to do and no time for distractions,” he said.
He reiterated this later in an interview with eNCA. “I serve at the pleasure of the president. The president appoints and disappoints… I will see you somewhere,” Gigaba said, echoing Zuma’s parting words following his resignation on Wednesday night. Masondo was also punted as a candidate for the position, although some said his chances were slim.
Mthembu, Kodwa and Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams are said to be vying for the Communi- cations portfolio, which has switched hands between Faith Muthambi, Ayanda Dlodlo and Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, respectively, in less than 12 months.
Another source said Mthembu was widely tipped as the frontrunner. “He’s the favourite to take over. If Cyril doesn’t merge Communications with Telecommunications, Ndabeni-Abrahams (current deputy minister) will in all likelihood take over from Siyabonga Cwele in Telecommunications.”
Also up for grabs could be the Police Ministry, with Fikile Mbalula’s future in cabinet uncertain. Sources close to Mbalula said moves were afoot to redeploy him to Luthuli House on a full-time basis.
Independent Media understands that David Mabuza is the person behind the move. However, Mbalula is said to be opposed to the proposal.
“The ANC Top Six did not appoint Mbalula to lead any sub- committee of the NEC. They did not put him in the national working committee,” said a source closer to the minister.
“This is a sign that President Ramaphosa has bigger ideas for Mbalula in government,” adding that removing Mbalula from the Police Ministry “could be destabilising to the police at this crucial time”.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Bheki Cele is said to have revived his campaign to return to the Police Ministry.
“Cele wants Mbaks (Mbalula’s) job. But he was unlikely to succeed because he was found to be unfit to be the police general,” said an insider.
Mathole Motshekga, Parliament’s portfolio committee on justice and correctional services chairperson, is said to be eyeing the Justice portfolio, held by Michael Masutha.
A source close to Mathole said Motshekga would be a suitable candidate for the position.
“Dr Motshekga was among the people who were first to work in the department, along with the likes of (the late) Pius Langa, Dr Zola Skweyiya and Albie Sachs in 2006, working in the Department of Legal and Constitutional Affairs.”
Motshekga was cagey when contacted, saying: “I cannot deploy myself.”