President Thabo Mbeki yesterday appointed three additional women into Cabinet, in line with his inauguration speech, on Monday, where he said women formed an integral part of the fundamental social transformation of the country.

He affirmed his speech in Pretoria during his announcement of the new Cabinet that will serve until 2009.

Former chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Naledi Pandor was appointed as the Minister of Education replacing Professor Kader Asmal who retired due to ill health.

He also promoted Deputy Ministers Buyelwa Sonjica and Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula from their current positions.

Ms Mapisa-Nqakula is now the new home affairs minister, replacing minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Ms Sonjica has been promoted from the position of deputy minister of arts, culture, science and technology to become the new minister of water affairs and forestry.

She replaces Ronnie Kasrils who has been moved to become the new intelligence minister. Mbeki also announced four additional female deputy ministers, former Members of Parliament Lulu Xingwana and Jean Benjamin and former President's Parliamentary Counsellor Sue van der Merwe as well as Western Cape housing MEC Nomatyala Hangana.

Ms Xingwana will be the minerals and energy deputy minister while Ms Hangana will replace Ntombazana Botha as the new deputy minister of provincial and local government.

Ms Benjamin is the social development deputy minister whereas Ms Van der Merwe is the deputy minister of the newly created and additional deputy ministry for foreign affairs.

The number of female ministers has increased from nine to twelve, translating into a 12% increase from 30% in 1999 to 42% in 2004. - BuaNews