The new Cabinet held its first regular fortnightly meeting under President Jacob Zuma at Tuynhuys in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Briefing the media afterwards, government spokesperson Themba Maseko said the primary purpose was to prepare for the Cabinet lekgotla from May 26 to 28.

The lekgotla would deal with three key issues. Firstly, the adoption of the new medium-term strategic framework (MTSF) following the new electoral mandate.

Secondly, to provide the new administration with an opportunity to discuss and plan for implementing government's programme of action for the period up to the next lekgotla in January 2010.

Finally, to reflect on the modalities and structures for the national strategic planning function and the structural changes in the executive and government.

Maseko said that during the meeting, Cabinet had also noted the progress and challenges in implementing the new government structure, and approved a proposal on setting up Cabinet committees and clusters.

The clusters established were infrastructure development; economic sectors and employment; human development; social protection and community development; international cooperation, trade, and security; governance and administration; and justice, crime prevention, and security.

The clusters had started work on Wednesday, he said.