It is out with the old and in with the new, as President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the changes to his cabinet last night. With the big spenders, notably South Africa’s very own ‘Tottenham ambassador’ and Mr. Spend-millions on a flag, the rotten apples remain in Ramaphosa’s cabinet sack.

Following weeks of rumours and speculations, one finally has clarity on the state of the country’s National Executive. 

In a very short address, President held the suspense and eventually announced the new officials who would occupy a place in his cabinet. Among those include, Paul Mashatile as Deputy President, Khumbudzo Ntshaveni as the Minister in the Presidency, and Kgosientsho “Sputla” Ramokgopa, as the anticipated Minister of Electricity.

Ramaphosa surprised many by finally giving Lindiwe Sisulu the boot out of the cabinet as Minister of Tourism and appointing GOOD party leader, Patricia de Lille as her successor. 

Many have viewed Sisulu as untouchable due to her family’s history within the African National Congress (ANC) and the fight against Apartheid. However, Sisulu’s recent scandalous behaviour dating back to before the ANC National Conference, which saw her among those openly opposing Ramaphosa, as well as her recent issues with the infamous Tottenham Hotspur deal in the Tourism Department, were enough to show her out the door.

The ousting of Nathi Mthethwa was more expected, with Mthethwa not making the cut for the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC last year, not to mention the fact that he had coined the term by many as the Minister of  ‘Congratulations and Condolences’ for his alleged inability to do anything else.

Mthethwa was replaced by Zizi Kodwa, an ANC NEC member who served as the deputy minister of State Security.

With Ramaphosa having truly reshuffled the cabinet in what could be his last chance to prove himself before the 2024 National Election, the cabinet is looking new.

Ramaphosa appointed the following Members of Parliament (MPs) as Ministers (list excluding Deputy Ministers): 

With so many new appointments, criticism over the remainder of the ‘rotten three apples’, Bheki Cele, Gwede Mantashe, and Pravin Gordhan, seems to be on the rise.

Rumours had emerged that Ramaphosa would reintroduce the position of Minister of State Intelligence, where Cele would be moved to, whilst many believe that the energy crisis and allegations of mismanagement and corruption in Eskom should have been enough to have Mantashe and Gordhan removed.

With the new cabinet officially announced, work now commences, as Portfolio and Standing Committee meetings are set to begin today.