South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the formation of a new cabinet consisting of a government of national unity, with 32 ministerial positions being named following weeks of deadlock that delayed the formation of a historic governing coalition. The cabinet includes 20 posts for the African National Congress (ANC), six for the Democratic Alliance (DA), and the rest split among smaller coalition parties. This power-sharing arrangement was necessitated after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994 in the May 29 elections, where they garnered only 40 percent of the vote.
President Ramaphosa emphasized that addressing issues such as poverty, poor services, and high levels of inequality and unemployment would be the new government’s priorities. The formation of the government involved complex political negotiations and concessions from the ANC, with the DA leader John Steenhuisen being appointed as minister of agriculture. The ANC retained control of key portfolios such as trade and industry, with Paul Mashatile continuing as deputy president. This reorganization of the government is seen as a positive step towards opening up the political scene to new leaders and encouraging compromise.
Political analyst Melanie Verwoerd noted that the reshuffling of the cabinet is a major shake-up with few of the old faces remaining, signaling a positive change in the country’s democratic journey. The new government’s ability to improve on the ANC’s record will depend on the extent to which the different parties can set aside their ideological differences. The DA, for example, opposes some of the ANC’s policies such as black empowerment programs and expropriation of land without compensation, advocating for a different approach to these issues. The success of the current coalition will hinge on their ability to find common ground on key policy areas.
The formation of a national unity government marks a significant shift in South Africa’s political landscape, with the traditionally dominant ANC having to share power with other parties. The new cabinet composition reflects a more diverse representation of political voices, with the hope of fostering greater collaboration and effectiveness in governance. The inclusion of the DA and other smaller coalition parties in key ministerial positions signifies a departure from the previous one-party dominance, signaling a new era of political cooperation and shared responsibility.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of the national unity government will be judged by its ability to address the pressing challenges facing South Africa, such as poverty, inequality, and unemployment. By bringing together different political perspectives and priorities, the coalition government has the potential to craft innovative and balanced policies that cater to a wider range of interests. As the new cabinet settles into its roles and begins working together, the focus will be on delivering tangible change and progress for the millions of South Africans who voted for a new direction in the recent elections.
