June 1, 2019

Andrew Campbell 

Cyril Ramaphosa was reelected and sworn in on May 25 as the 6th democratically-elected president of South Africa. "For the first time in the history of our country, half of all the ministers are women," President Ramaphosa, who announced the move in a televised press conference on May 29 in capital Johannesburg, said the decision was to create a line of leaders that would advance the nation's future. Women will now make up half of South Africa's new cabinet for the first time in its history.
 
The leader of the opposition political party Good and former Mayor of Cape Town from 2011 to 2018 Patricia de Lille was appointed Minister of Public Works. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, who returns as Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, is one of South Africa's most powerful politicians and has held ministerial posts in different governments since 1994. Angela Thoko Didiza, who returns as Minister of Agriculture, held the same position for eight years under former President Thabo Mbeki. The women were sworn on May 30 when all newly appointed ministers took their oath of office.
 

Xolani Dube, a political analyst from the Xubera Institute of Research and Development based in Durban criticized and told CNN News "Many of the women the president announced have been there for many decades. We need to ask ourselves what kind of paradigm shift we are looking for in this country." and added, "We need to introduce young women who have a different outlook on how South Africa is supposed to be governed in this particular age."
 
President Ramaphosa has pledged to revive the stagnating economy, create jobs and root out corruption. Opposition party leader Mmusi Maimane said he would form a "shadow Cabinet" and hold Ramaphosa's government accountable.

Photo:Webshot.