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The work of government will continue uninterrupted following the changes to the National Executive announced by President Jacob Zuma on 31 October 2010.

Government assures South Africans that all government departments are being strengthened to enable effective and efficient service delivery to citizens. After 17 months in government since the inauguration of the President of the Republic in May 2009 and the appointment of Cabinet Ministers, the time to improve the pace of government delivery had come.

The new changes to the configuration of the National Government were guided by the government's mission of improving the quality of life of all South Africans, especially the poor. Given the challenges that the country still faces - such as unemployment, poverty and access to basic services, government has to work at a faster pace to improve the quality of life for all.

The appointment of new Deputy Minister positions in the Ministry for Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration; Higher Education and Training and Mineral Resources was necessary given the size of portfolios, their expansive mandate and the strategic importance of these ministries.

Government has noted media reports alleging that certain Ministers learnt of their replacement from the media. These reports are misleading and untrue in the extreme. All affected Ministers were informed of the changes prior to the public announcement on 31st October 2010 by the President. The President handled the matter sensitively and in a dignified manner. In fact the media briefing was delayed in order to ensure that he personally spoke to everyone who was affected by the changes.

Government is confident that all the Ministers and Deputy Ministers appointed by the President are competent and will perform their duties as expected. The work of government will continue relentlessly to ensure that service delivery commitments are met.