A move that we all should have seen coming. With David Mabuza having been missing in action from the past few engagements and events, this should have been seen as a prelude to his departure.

In a predictable announcement this past weekend, Mabuza announced his resignation as the Deputy President of the country. This amid rumours and even an unconfirmed allegation of his resignation a week prior.

With some hailing the work that he was able to do during his term, Mabuza was met with widespread criticism from South African Twitter trolls, who claimed that he did very little in the position of Deputy President.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has attempted to halt this move by Mabuza, requesting that he stays in the role until  “modalities of his departure and transition have been finalised”. 

Despite this, Ramaphosa has been hard at work in preparation for the State of the Nation Address that is taking place on 9 February 2023. The presidency also announced that four new members of the ANC NEC are set to be sworn in as Members of Parliament (MPs) today.

Former KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala, Deputy Secretary-General, Maropene Ramokgopa, former Joburg mayor Parks Tau and as well as Deputy President of the ANC, Paul Mashatile are all set to be sworn in as MPs. This puts them on the map to be appointed as ministers as South Africans await the much-expected cabinet reshuffle that could take place in the next few days.

With David Mabuza having expressed his intentions to leave his position to make way for Paul Mashatile, questions are looming of whether Mashatile forms a part of the so-called “modalities” described by the presidency.

The four ANC NEC members will be sworn in today and one will have to wait and see what the next few days leading up to the SONA will hold for the cabinet.