Could Ayanda Dlodlo be headed to World Bank in Washington?
Minister reshuffled after looting in July
Speculation is rife that Public Service and Administration Minister Ayanda Dlodlo will be seconded to a position at the World Bank in the US capital, Washington.
This follows a tweet last week containing a picture of Dlodlo and National Treasury Director-general Dondo Mogajane outside the country’s embassy in Washington with ambassador Nomaindia Mfeketo and other embassy staff members.
The tweet read: “Update, Minister of Public Service and Administration, @Minayandadlodlo and @Treasury RSA Director-general @Mogajaned made a stop by the embassy to brief the staff about their attendance to the World Bank Annual meetings.”
The post has since raised questions why a minister of public service and administration formed part of a briefing of staff of an embassy instead of treasury officials or officials in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Dlodlo’s possible departure has raised questions over who will replace her in the event she leaves for Washington, hardly two months after President Cyril Ramaphosa reshuffled his cabinet. She was sent back to the Department of Public Service and Administration after a stint at the Department of State Security.
Ramaphosa has since collapsed state security into the Presidency, now headed by Dlodlo’s former deputy, Zizi Kodwa.
According to the World Bank, Covid-19 has had a major impact on South Africa’s economy.
The global financial institution estimated that the country’s economy contracted by 7% in 2020 as the pandemic weighed heavily on both external demand and domestic activity while the government implemented containment measures.
Earlier this month, the World Bank, in collaboration with the government, released a report assessing the country’s social assistance programmes and systems. The report found that overall, South Africa’s system of programmes was effective, well-targeted, and provided sizeable benefits to the poorest households.
“The social assistance system effectively reduces poverty and inequality rates. Cash transfer programmes are having positive and important impacts on a wide variety of outcomes, including nutrition and food security, educational attainment, health, labour supply, and livelihoods,” it said.
Dlodlo holds a master’s in business administration among a number of postgraduate qualifications she holds, which include management development, business management and executive development programmes. She has held several senior positions in various institutions such as Telkom, Spoornet and Sanlam.
Possible departure raises questions over who will replace her