There have been varied responses to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the national executive of the seventh administration. The 32 ministers with their 43 deputies were drawn from 11 political parties represented in the Government National Unity.
The ANC’s Paul Mashatile retained deputy president position while DA leader John Steenhuisen is the Minister of Agriculture. IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa has been appointed as the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and FF Plus leader Dr Pieter Groenewald is now the Minister of Correctional services.
Most parties have welcomed the composition of the national executive with the EFF and ActionSA expressing reservations. It’s been 11 days since the president took his oath of office and many have been waiting to see what the new executive under the GNU will look like.
“In the spirit of partnership and collaboration the incoming government will work together with other formation to convene what we have spoken about,” Ramaphosa said.
The ANC and its partners in government have welcomed the appointment of the new ministers by the country’s number one.
“We now have given everyone who’s appointed the opportunity to prove themselves that they can actually commit to those values and work on the base of those principle use values. The ANC is positive and inspired by the ability of the President to navigate the unchartered waters and produce its outcomes,” says ANC’s Zuko Godlimpi.
“The confederation that we have managed to have negotiate ensured that alongside the ANC, the DA now the only party that is now represented across everyone one of the clusters in government. This means that for the very first time ever the voices of the DA members/ voters will be heard in every sector and every room,” says DA leader John Steenhuisen.
“The IFP welcomes the announcement of the national executive, it gives certainty and gives South Africa an opportunity to be able to move forward,” says the IFP’s Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
UDM President Bantu Holomisa is the deputy minister of defense.
“I am not a stranger in the military family and I am looking forward to contribute with the little knowledge I have in the department,” says UDM leader Bantu Holomisa.
But the new national executive has not been welcomed by all.
Some opposition parties have described the move by the President as trying too hard to please the members of the GNU.
They argue that this is at the expense of South Africans.
“What more concerning about this announcement, the increased and bloated cabinet that is going to put more pressure on the taxpayers and this was just to accommodate racists. The cabinet also confirms that the ANC has abandoned its historical role,” says EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys.
“We are pleased that we finally have a cabine but very concern that its bigger than before and the hypocrisy of some of the members of the parties that are part of the grand coalition accepting position of ministers and deputies, especially when they were calling for deputy position to be dealt away with,” says ActionSA’s Athol Trollip.
The South African Communist Party has also weighed in.
“We will hold the entire government accountable, even against mass mobilisation that we have outlined here. We dare say that there is no minister who thinks that they can reverse the gains of our democracy and that they will be left unchallengeable by the communist party,” says SACP’s Solly Mapaila.
The African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President, Paul Mashatile has reiterated the ANC’s plea to communities to give the party another opportunity to improve their lives. Mashatile took the party’s election campaign to the south of Johannesburg’s Sedibeng region, where he interacted with mostly elderly community members who complained of hunger, crime, water and sanitation challenges.
Mashatile says the ANC is willing to do an honest assessment of what has and has not been done in order to fix the problems communities face.
“Our biggest challenges is unemployment. In these past four months my house has been broken into three times, crime is another challenge,” says a resident.
Encouraging them to vote, Mashatile conceded that the last 30 years has had its own challenges. But it’s not true that the ANC has done nothing.
Mashatile further says he remains confident that the ANC will do well come election day.
Political parties are leaving nothing to chance in this much contested election that is less than a month away.
Elections 2024 I ‘Give ANC another chance to improve your lives’: Paul Mashatile
Some political experts say the expulsion of some of the senior uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) Party members will not have an impact on the upcoming general election. This comes after the party’s national leadership announced the expulsion of Jabulani Khumalo, the man who registered the party in September last year, together with four other members.
In a statement, the party said external forces’ attempts to destabilise the MK Party prompted its decision.
Earlier this month after appearing in court, Zuma made it clear that the current leadership was on an interim basis. Zuma had made it clear that there are still a lot of changes the party will see.
He cautioned them about fighting for leadership positions.
“When you get out of hand we are going to remove you. Those who forcefully impose themselves doing as they want, even using money they think we don’t know and (we) know very well.”
Now that the party has not shied away from taking action, the question is, will this have any negative impact on how it is received as the election day draws nearer.
Political Analyst, Levy Ndou explains: “When you have such party losing members or expelling members at such an early stage, and very crucial moments towards the elections it should be worrying for the MK Party, in a sense that it is now that they need people in order for them to be able to make a mark in the elections. But on the other hand you would love a situation where you have a political party and you have rules and regulations which are not been followed and you just leave everybody to do as they wish.”
Another political analyst, Thobani Zikalala says he does not believe there will be much of an impact.
“I think for me, it doesn’t look good in terms of how the party is organised, but remember everyone who seems to be associated with the party is associated mostly because of former President Jacob Zuma is there. I do not think that there is going be a very big impact whether or not those who you have expelled are expelled or not because the figure that has brought so many people so far is still there.”
Now it remains to be seen if those expelled by the party will take any legal action or not.
Five MK Party members expelled: Thobani Zikalala weighs in:
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, has urged the Muslim community of Lenasia, South of Johannesburg, to reject all political parties that support the Israeli government in the Middle East conflict. This is part of his Town Hall meetings following the launch of his party’s manifesto in February this year.
Malema says their number one priority, if voted into power after the May 29 polls, will be to shut down the Israeli embassy in South Africa. He says no right-thinking Muslim should vote for all those who support the genocide in Palestine.
The community took the opportunity to raise their grievances. Malema assured them that all their challenges would be a thing of the past if they put their trust in the EFF.
Election 2024 | EFF on a campaign trail in Lenasia: Moshe Koma
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Later on a campaign trail, the EFF leader said the African National Congress (ANC) had failed the people of South Africa, including Lenasia residents. He says under the ANC, crime is normalised but his party will only require three months to sort out crime.
With elections around the corner, the EFF hopes its message on Saturday resonated with Lenasia residents and this would be reflected at the polls.
[IN PICTURES]: Lanesia Manifesto Townhall Meeting today, convened by President @Julius_S_Malema
These meetings are an essential because they offer members of the community a platform to raise concerns and suggestions to the leadership of the EFF. #VoteEFFpic.twitter.com/4YIL39IoS7
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) April 13, 2024
Elections 2024 I Julius Malema leads campaign in Lenasia:
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says women who have made the candidate list have done so through merit. The party unveiled its candidate list, promising to remove the ANC from power.
Party leader John Steenhuisen says his party prides itself on the point that all those who made it, did it on merit. This week the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will make public candidate lists submitted by registered political parties. The official opposition unveiled what it calls the best of the best.
From an economist, medical doctor, anti-crime activist and party councillors, the party says its nine-month selection process was rigorous and it’s confident.
“We are convinced that the people we have chosen are the very best South Africa has to offer who’s available to serve the public through representation and Parliament and legislatures,” says DA Federal chair, Helen Zille.
Steenhuisen says the DA never compromises its processes when it goes for capable people in different terrains. Praising the list, Steenhuisen says no party can measure what the DA has offered.
“I believe the diversity of candidates that the DA offers South Africa, while the political right and left offer a monochromatic and screwed representation of South African society. The DA comprises of South Africans from every background and walks of life to ensure that governance is carried out with the best interest and needs of each and every citizen in mind.”
As election day comes closer, political parties are doing all they can to ensure they have their ducks in a row, ensuring that they are ready if South Africans trust them with their vote.
2024 Elections – DA’s candidate selection process ahead of May’s polls: