---
title: "Ramaphosa cuts Cabinet from 36 to 28 ministers, half of whom are women"
description: "After a day of consultation, President Cyril Ramaphosa finally announced his Cabinet on Wednesday evening, sticking to his promise to slash the bloated executive. David Mabuza and Pravin Gordhan will keep their positions in a Cabinet that will see Patricia de Lille become a minister, while a number of ANC veterans didn’t make the cut."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsflash"
author: "Greg Nicolson"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/gregnicolson/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-05-29-ramaphosa-cuts-cabinet-from-36-to-28-ministers-half-of-whom-are-women/"
published: "2019-05-29T23:23:50"
updated: "2019-05-30T00:28:39"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 1226
---

# Ramaphosa cuts Cabinet from 36 to 28 ministers, half of whom are women

> After a day of consultation, President Cyril Ramaphosa finally announced his Cabinet on Wednesday evening, sticking to his promise to slash the bloated executive. David Mabuza and Pravin Gordhan will keep their positions in a Cabinet that will see Patricia de Lille become a minister, while a number of ANC veterans didn’t make the cut.

By Greg Nicolson · Published 30 May 2019, 01:23 SAST · Updated 30 May 2019, 02:28 SAST

## Content

President Cyril Ramaphosa has slashed the number of ministers from 36 to 28 after combining a number of departments in the process of reconfiguring the state, which he said was still ongoing.

Ramaphosa announced his Cabinet at the Union Buildings on Wednesday evening after he consulted with the ANC’s alliance partners throughout the day.

Every president since 1994 has named his Cabinet the day after their inauguration but controversies over whether David Mabuza should remain deputy president after being questioned by the ANC’s integrity committee and whether Pravin Gordhan should remain in Cabinet after an adverse finding by the Public Protector were reported to have delayed Ramaphosa’s announcement.

*Photo: Some of the ministers in Ramaphosa's new canbinet:*

![Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu, 12 December 2017. (Photo: Kopano Tlape GCIS)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/X2C_ytkMlU6m0cJV07cj5aXfrNg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cabinet-lindiwe-zulu-2.jpg)

*cabinet- lindiwe zulu 2*

![Newly appointed Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in parliament on 22 August 2018. Photo: Leila Dougan](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/-5477oR5ePapK2zdqDE6PcbxOFs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cabinet-nkosazan-dlamini-zuma-3.jpg)

*cabinet - nkosazan dlamini zuma 3*

![Recently appointed Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor in Jordan, 07 November 2017. EPA-EFE/AMEL PAIN](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/rAm0WgrGhfaNWKTBmMaTsrbqRfY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cabinet-Naledi-Pandor.jpg)

*Eighth World Science Forum in Jordan*

![Recently appointed Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu at the IEC results Centre in Pretoria, May 2019. Photo: Leila Dougan](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/XWpeS_rBAvxv9k86hvHdvBLKAaw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cabinet-lindiwe-sisulu-3.jpeg)

*cabinet - lindiwe sisulu 3*

![Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu on the red carpet before the State of the Nation Address 7 February 2019. Photo: Leila Dougan](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ctjP079GIHa5ggXjTXW9zCuGV_k=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cabinet-Jackson-Mthembu.jpg)

*cabinet - Jackson Mthembu*

![David Mahlobo during a safety and security commission at the Nasrec Expo Centre on December 20, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Galo Images / Netwerk24 / Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/wYP2KxPwggBPg6US0LPcHSmG_kc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cabinet-David-Mahlobo.jpg)

*Day 5 marks end of 54th National Conference*

![Minister of Police Bheki Cele. (Photo: Leila Dougan)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/DM5VyGOF95EeQljuyCf6zwtJG4w=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cabinet-Bheki-Cele-02.jpg)

*Bheki Cele on the red carpet before the State of the Nation addr*

![Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, seen here in this file photo at the announcement of the final results for the 2019 Election at the National Results Operation Center (ROC) in Pretoria on Saturday 11 May 2019. Photo: Leila Dougan](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/bZDJsWyDbG75IdTTUKZCrfy33ck=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cabinet-Fikile-Mbalula_04.jpg)

*cabinet - Fikile Mbalula\_04*

![Recently appointed Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi in parliament on 22 August 2018. Photo: Leila Dougan](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/5HxlRlxHpTIT413v9ct6ByfY5H8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cabinet-Thulas-Nxesi.jpg)

*Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi in parliament on 22 August 20*

![Recently appointed Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure. Patricia de Lille in Cape Town, 6 February 2019. Photo: Leila Dougan](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/d11GP7SciHk551IgSxBpE3_bIto=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cabinet-patricia-de-lille-2.jpg)

*cabinet - patricia de lille 2*

![South African Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Affairs Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams (R) arrives for the High-Level Forum Africa-Europe at the Austria Center Vienna (ACV) in Vienna, Austria, 18 December 2018. EPA-EFE/FLORIAN WIESER](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/DyjlCXYTeA7ELIaK2Xi_QK2Xpbk=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cabinet-Stella-Abrahams-2.jpg)

*High-Level Forum Africa-Europe in Vienna*

![Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande. (Photo: Leila Dougan)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/oTlfSXdz35-NTeU9GcWiHJFzMX4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cabinet-Blade-Nzimande.jpg)

*cabinet-Blade Nzimande*

Mabuza retained his position while Gordhan was reappointed as the Minister of Public Enterprises, where he is seen as integral to Ramaphosa’s attempts to tackle the legacy of graft at state-owned entities.

The president made a number of surprising choices, particularly by appointing Good party leader Patricia de Lille as minister of public works and infrastructure. De Lille formerly served as mayor of Cape Town and a leader of the DA before she had a falling-out with the party.

Former ministers facing allegations of incompetence and corruption such as Bathabile Dlamini won’t return to the executive. The likes of Nomvula Mokonyane and Malusi Gigaba had already declined to become MPs. David Mahlobo, known for defending former president Jacob Zuma as State Security minister, made a surprising return as Deputy Minister for Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation.

ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe, linked to allegations surrounding the Bosasa scandal, retained his position at Mineral Resources, but will now have greater powers after his department was merged with the Department of Energy.

Ramaphosa announced plans to reduce the size of the Cabinet during his first State of the Nation address in 2018. The number of ministers had jumped from 29 during former president Thabo Mbeki’s administration to 36 under Zuma.

“This is a significant move of downscaling our state. Many people believed that our government, which is meant to serve 57 million people, was bloated and this was agreed right across the board,” said the president on Wednesday evening.

“Let me immediately state, a reconfigured state is an ideal, but we also see it as a process. It is a process that should finally lead us to the blueprint type of government that we all seek.”

The president emphasised that for the first time, half of all ministers were now women.

Ramaphosa merged departments with similar responsibilities: Trade and Industry was combined with Economic Development; Higher Education with Science and Technology; Environmental Affairs with Forestry and Fisheries; Agriculture with Land Reform and Rural Development; Mineral Resources with Energy; Human Settlements with Water and Sanitation; and Sport and Recreation with Arts and Culture.

The Cabinet includes a number of new ministers such as Ronald Lamola, a former ANCYL deputy president who campaigned for Ramaphosa before the ANC’s Nasrec conference, who was appointed Minister of Justice and Correctional Services. Barbara Creecy, former Gauteng finance MEC, was appointed as Minister of Environment, Forestries and Fisheries.

While Ramaphosa’s new Cabinet appears to favour those who supported his run for the ANC presidency, particularly in the deputy ministerial posts, it includes a balance of members of different ANC factions. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who Ramaphosa beat for the ANC presidency, was appointed Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Long-serving minister Jeff Radebe didn’t get a slot. Neither did former Tourism minister Derek Hanekom, who came out in support of Ramaphosa ahead of the Nasrec conference.

Other ministers were retained but moved to new posts: Blade Nzimande went from Transport to Higher Education, Science and Technology; Aaron Motsoaledi went from Health to Home Affairs; Zweli Mkhize will move from Co-operative Governance to Health.

“If we are to make effective progress in building the South Africa that we all yearn for and the South Africa that we all want, it is important that we deploy into positions of responsibility people who are committed, people who are capable and people who have integrity,” said Ramaphosa. **DM**

**Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet**

- The **Deputy President** is David Mabuza.
- The **Minister of** **Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development** is Thoko Didiza.
- The Deputy Ministers are Sdumo Dlamini and Mcebisi Skwatsha.
- The **Minister of Basic Education** is Angie Motshekga.
- The Deputy Minister is Dr Regina Mhaule.
- The **Minister of Communications** is Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
- The Deputy Minister is Pinky Kekana.
- The **Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs** is Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
- The Deputy Ministers are Parks Tau and Obed Bapela.
- The **Minister of Defence and Military Veterans** is Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
- The Deputy Minister is Thabang Makwetla.
- The **Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries** is Barbara Creecy.
- The Deputy Minister is Maggie Sotyu.
- The **Minister of Employment and Labour** is Thulas Nxesi.
- The Deputy Minister is Boitumelo Moloi.
- The **Minister of Finance** is Tito Mboweni.
- The Deputy Minister is Dr David Masondo.
- The **Minister of Health** is Dr Zwelini Mkhize.
- The Deputy Minister is Dr Joe Phaahla.
- The **Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology** is Dr Blade Nzimande.
- The Deputy Minister is Buti Manamela.
- The **Minister of Home Affairs** is Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
- The Deputy Minister is Njabulo Nzuza.
- The **Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation** is Lindiwe Sisulu.
- The Deputy Ministers are Pam Tshwete and David Mahlobo.
- The **Minister of International Relations and Co-operation** is Dr Naledi Pandor.
- The Deputy Ministers are Alvin Botes and Candith Mashego-Dlamini.
- The **Minister of Justice and Correctional Services** is Ronald Lamola.
- The Deputy Ministers are John Jeffery and Inkosi Phathekile Holomisa.
- The **Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy** is Gwede Mantashe.
- The Deputy Minister is Bavelile Hlongwa.
- The **Minister of Police** is General Bheki Cele.
- The Deputy Minister is Cassel Mathale.
- The **Minister in the Presidency** is Jackson Mthembu.
- The Deputy Minister in the Presidency is Thembi Siweya.
- The **Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities** is Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
- The Deputy Minister is Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize.
- The **Minister of Public Enterprises** is Pravin Gordhan.
- The Deputy Minister is Phumulo Masualle.
- The **Minister of Public Service and Administration** is Senzo Mchunu.
- The Deputy Minister is Sindy Chikunga.
- The **Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure** is Patricia De Lille.
- The Deputy Minister is Noxolo Kiviet.
- The **Minister of Small Business Development** is Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
- The Deputy Minister is Rosemary Capa.
- The **Minister of Social Development** is Lindiwe Zulu.
- The Deputy Minister is Henrietta Bogopane-Zulu.
- The **Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture** is Nathi Mthethwa.
- The Deputy Minister is Nocawe Mafu.
- The **Minister of State Security** is Ayanda Dlodlo.
- The Deputy Minister is Zizi Kodwa.
- The **Minister of Tourism** is Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane.
- The Deputy Minister is Fish Mahlalela.
- The **Minister of Trade and Industry** is Ebrahim Patel.
- The Deputy Ministers are Fikile Majola and Nomalungelo Gina.
- The **Minister of Transport** is Fikile Mbalula.
- The Deputy Minister is Dikeledi Magadzi.