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 were sworn in as members of Parliament today. 

In a swearing-in ceremony performed by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the four ANC NEC members read an oath upon being inducted into the National Assembly.

Their appointment places 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 about whether Mashatile will be appointed as the Deputy President of the country before President Cyril Ramaphosa presents the SONA this week.

Speaking on the possible succession of Mabuza, Mashatile expressed that the decision for him to be Deputy President of the country, is the prerogative of the President, adding that he is happy to serve as an MP for now.

As South Africans and opposition parties wait eagerly for the SONA, many also wait in anticipation to see whether Ramaphosa will indeed shuffle the cabinet before then.