We’re privy to origins of ‘cabinet’

HE TERM “cabinet” started to acquire its political sense of a small group of ministers in England in the early 17th century. Prior to that, it had been called the privy council.

At that time, all members were appointed by the monarch. After the Civil War and the execution of Charles I in 1649, parliament increasingly took over these powers.

With the arrival of the German-speaking Hanoverians, Robert Walpole took advantage of the resulting power vacuum to appoint himself the first prime minister and begin the cabinet system as we know it.

The system has continued to this day, with David Cameron “reshuffling” his cabinet only last week.

The British cabinet currently consists of 22 ministers. That of Germany has 16. By contrast, the SA government consists of 43 departments, including Co-operative Governance, Military Veterans, the Public Administration, Leadership Management Academy and, of course, the Presidency.

When there is a major political or social problem, it is standard practice in European democracies that the minister responsible appears in person.

In SA, usually a spokesperson will appear, or a member of the Government Communication and Information Services.

Geoff Hughes is professor emeritus, Wits University.

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