The Office of the Deputy President Paul Mashatile announced on Tuesday that he has retained two advisers of former Deputy President David Mabuza’s, for his own advisory team.

Mashatile was sworn in as the Deputy President on March 7, following Mabuza’s resignation last month.

Madala Masuku will advise Mashatile on Service Delivery and the District Development Model (DDM), while Thulani Mdakane will provide advice on Land Reform and Social Cohesion.

Former African National Congress communication head Keith Khoza will be Mashatile’s Political Adviser and former Presidential spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga will be his International Relations Advisor.

Cities specialist and former government Communicator Tshilidzi Ratshitanga is the Deputy President’s Strategy and Spatial Transformation Adviser.

Former acting director-general in the Gauteng provincial government Mduduzi Mbada will head the Office of the Deputy President and will be supported by Chief Directors Melene Rossouw: Personal Support and Advisory Services, Vukani Mde: Spokesperson and Communication and Lerato Ntsangani: Strategy and Special Projects.

The Presidency noted that all appointments are subject to Public Service and Administration processes.

Meanwhile, The Presidency said a handover process took place to outline the delegated responsibilities that the Deputy President would inherit from his predecessor, as delegated by the President.

Mashatile will be leading government efforts to fast-track land reform and agricultural support, while also implementing rapid response interventions on service delivery and trouble-shooting in service delivery hotspots.

Mashatile will assist the President in the roll-out of the DDM, lead the South African National Aids Council and be part of a special envoy on South Sudan. He will also lead peace missions on the continent.

Mashatile will lead the Human Resources Development Council of South Africa and foster collaboration between government and social partners towards addressing the shortage of skills in critical sectors of the economy.

“To achieve these objectives, the Office of the Deputy President supports the Deputy President in his Constitutional responsibility of assisting the President in the execution of the functions of Government. A well-capacitated office with technical skills to achieve the objectives of Government will ensure that the Deputy President is able to effectively fulfil his mandate,” said the Presidency.