New education minister welcomed President Thabo Mbeki got the thumbs up from teachers unions and political parties alike on Wednesday, for his appointment of Naledi Pandor to the education portfolio.

Reacting to news of the new appointment on Wednesday, the SA Democratic Teacher's Union said Pandor's record boded well.

"As a qualified and formerly practising educator minister Pandor has first hand experience of the education sector, and her record in the previous government augers well," the union said in a statement.

Sadtu said that while Pandor faced a huge task ahead of her the union would support her.

The union said the focus now had to be on addressing management incapacity at all levels of the system; getting curriculum transformation back on track; and putting in place a national system of teacher development to support educators.

"Educators are also in the frontline of coping with the trauma of aids orphans in the community, and need to develop appropriate skills," the statement read.

DA leader Tony Leon said Pandor would provide a breath of fresh air in the sector.

"... we sincerely hope that in her leadership, the department will cease tinkering and experimenting and get back to basics," he said.

ACDP leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe said he welcomed her appointment especially as she had spent much of her life as an educator.

"It is indeed an advantage that she herself has children because as a mother she will be more sensitive towards parents with children at school and ensure that policies that might be harmful are not promoted," Meshoe said. - Sapa Manto's re-appointment bemoaned Opposition parties on Wednesday welcomed President Thabo Mbeki's new cabinet but expressed disappointment that Manto Tshabalala-Msimang maintained her position as Minister of Health.

"This is a slap in the face to the approximately seven million HIV/Aids sufferers in South Africa and indicates that government is stubbornly persisting with its failed policies in the health sector," DA leader Tony Leon said in a statement.

He said the reappointment of a discredited minister to a critical delivery department showed a "crass insensitivity" to the needs of ordinary South Africans.

"It is also a red flag to the investor community and to South Africa's own medical fraternity." UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said that he had hoped for a change in minister.

"The UDM is disappointed that the Minister of Health remains the same; we had expected a change in this vital portfolio." ACDP leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe said Tshabalala-Msimang had proved to be one of the most unpopular ministers in the country.

"The quality of health care and the morale of doctors and nurses are low, the conditions in public hospitals are terrible and there are still many clinics that operate as white elephants without medication. The health sector is in disarray and the reappointment of this minister does not bring much hope of improvement." The appointment of NNP leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk to cabinet, as Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, baffled the two opposition leaders.

"It is difficult to know on what basis Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk has been appointed to government. Presumably the President is determined, once and for all, to finish-off the NNP for good, after it handed the Western Cape to the ANC on a platter – at the cost of the NNP's electoral support," Leon said.

Holomisa said: "We note that Mr Van Schalkwyk has been rewarded, but it remains to be seen what his abilities as minister are." Meshoe said the appointment was surprising given that he had been implicated in allegations of corruption in the Roodefontein golf estate scandal. Leon expressed disappointment that IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi was dropped from cabinet.

"... given the fact that his political base is three times larger than Mr van Schalkwyk's and four times larger than that of Azapo leader Mosibudi Mangena, clearly bodes ill for the politics in KwaZulu Natal. However, Dr Buthelezi will find there is plenty of room to breathe on the opposition benches and that we can, in fact, build South Africa as well from this side of Parliament as from the government side."

Leon was alarmed by the larger Executive – there are now 28 ministers and 21 deputy ministers. The one extra minister and three new deputy ministers would cost the taxpayer R3-million in ministerial salaries.

He welcomed the appointment of Naledi Pandor to the Education portfolio.

"... we sincerely hope that in her leadership, the department will cease tinkering and experimenting and get back to basics." Lauding the appointment of Pallo Jordan to the Arts and Culture portfolio, Leon said the new minister would empower the local artistic community.

The ANC said in a statement that the new cabinet reflected the principles the party envisaged in its call for a people's contract to improve the lives of all South Africans. - Sapa UCBSA congratulates Stofile as new Minister of Sport The United Cricket Board of South Africa on Wednesday sent its good wishes to the newly appointed Minister of Sport and Recreation, Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile.

The local cricket body also wished former minister Ngconde Balfour all the best in his new post as Minister of Correctional Services.

"Minister Stofile was an accomplished sportsman in his youth, a veteran campaigner against apartheid in sport and a champion for the progress of youth through sport," said Gerald Majola, chief executive officer of the UCBSA.

"South African cricket is fully behind the Government's policy of reconciliation and nation building and we are looking forward to continue our excellent relationship with the Department of Sport and Recreation in this regard."

- Sapa