I’m from the school of hard knocks, says new mining minister
Violence-racked sector doesn’t scare him
NEWLY appointed Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Joseph Zwane yesterday said he understood the difficulties facing the struggling South African mining sector and was ready to tackle the challenge head-on.
“I have been dealing with challenges throughout my life. For those who know my background, I have not risen to be where I am mistakenly.
“I have walked through the ropes to be where I am,” Zwane told reporters at the Union Buildings in Pretoria shortly after being sworn in.
“I believe, with the support of all South Africans and the department, we should be able to tackle the issues affecting this department.”
Asked about his plan of action as he enters a sector ridden with recurrent violent strikes, the threat of massive job losses and a global commodity price slump, Mosebenzi said he needed time.
“In terms of plans, I’m sure we will all agree that you will have to give me some chance to settle, to look at what the department has and how we move forward. We will not just come in and change willy-nilly.
“What is there and we agree it is good, we will move forward with it and ensure we reach our destination on time,” he said.
Zwane said he would spell out his programme of action to the media “in a month or so”.
Some economists have criticised Zwane’s appointment to the vital Mineral Resources Department, citing his lack of experience in the highly volatile sector.
In a short ceremony presided over by President Jacob Zuma, Zwane was sworn into office by Constitutional Court Justice Johann van der Westhuizen.
A few of Zwane’s relatives were present, as was Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
On Tuesday night, Zuma reshuffled his cabinet slightly, announcing Ngoako Ramatlhodi as the new public service and administration minister. He was shifted from his post as mineral resources minister, a position now occupied by Zwane, an ANC MP.
Ramatlhodi had been hailed as a peacemaker since he came into office in May last year after he was able to resolve last year’s five-month-long platinum strike by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).
The post of public service and administration minister became vacant when Collins Chabane died in a car accident in March. Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa has been acting minister of public service and administration since March.
Zwane previously served as an MEC in various portfolios, including agriculture and rural development, and economic development, tourism and environmental affairs in the Free State provincial government.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Zuma didn’t field any questions or explain why he had decided to appoint Mosebenzi as the political head of the department.
It remains to be seen how Zwane will handle Amcu, which was antagonistic to Ramatlhodi’s predecessor, Susan Shabangu.
Zwane thanked the president for the appointment and promised he would give it his