---
title: "Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel sworn in as MP before Cabinet revamp"
description: "Patel’s appointment gives President Cyril Ramaphosa more flexibility when it comes to reshuffling his executive."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "THE SHUFFLE"
author: "S'thembile Cele for Bloomberg"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/sthembile-cele/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-06-south-africa-trade-minister-named-lawmaker-before-cabinet-rejig/"
published: "2023-03-06T13:25:18"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 254
---

# Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel sworn in as MP before Cabinet revamp

> Patel’s appointment gives President Cyril Ramaphosa more flexibility when it comes to reshuffling his executive.

By S'thembile Cele for Bloomberg · Published 6 March 2023, 15:25 SAST

## Key points
- President Cyril Ramaphosa will announce changes to his Cabinet on Monday 7pm, with two positions likely to be filled by people who are not members of Parliament. This suggests Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel may retain their posts. The President also needs to fill the role of deputy president, as David Mabuza resigned last week, and appoint a new electricity minister in response to the energy crisis. Other vacancies include the public service and administration ministry, and replacement for Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula. The President's spokesperson confirmed the Cabinet reshuffle will be announced Monday evening. Be sure to check Daily Maverick for more news and analysis on this developing story.
- President Ramaphosa will announce changes to his Cabinet at 7pm on Monday
- Enoch Godongwana and Ebrahim Patel are expected to retain their positions
- Paul Mashatile is likely to be appointed Deputy President
- Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is a potential candidate for Energy Minister

## Content

Under South African law, the President can name two people who aren’t members of Parliament to his Cabinet. Those positions were occupied by Finance Minister [Enoch Godongwana](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-02-28-godongwana-sworn-in-as-mp-in-latest-move-by-ramaphosa-to-reshuffle-cabinet/), who was made a legislator last week, and Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel, who was sworn in on Monday.

Pemmy Majodina, the ruling ANC’s chief whip in the legislature, confirmed Patel’s swearing-in.

The changes suggest that Ramaphosa will retain both Godongwana and Patel as ministers when he announces changes to his Cabinet at 7pm on Monday, and assign one or two posts to people who aren’t members of the National Assembly.

*Read in*Daily Maverick:*“*[*Save the date – Cabinet reshuffle to be announced on Monday 7pm, says Ramaphosa’s spokesperson*](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-05-save-the-date-cabinet-reshuffle-to-be-announced-on-monday-7pm-says-ramaphosas-spokesperson/)*”*

Among the positions Ramaphosa has to fill is that of deputy president, after [David Mabuza resigned](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-01-deputy-president-david-mabuza-resigns-from-parliament/) last week. That role is traditionally given to the ANC’s deputy leader, a post occupied by Paul Mashatile.

---

**Visit [*Daily Maverick's* home page](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage) for more news, analysis and investigations**

---

The President is also expected to name a new electricity minister, who will be tasked with overseeing the government’s response to an energy crisis that’s led to record rolling blackouts. Among those considered for the position are Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who heads up the infrastructure department in the Presidency and isn’t in Parliament.

Ramaphosa also needs to fill a vacancy in the public service and administration ministry, and name a replacement for Transport Minister [Fikile Mbalula](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-02-21-mbalula-confirms-cabinet-reshuffle-issues-will-be-wrapped-up-by-the-end-of-february/), who is now the ANC’s secretary-general. **DM/Bloomberg**

© 2023 Bloomberg L.P.