Issued by: The Office of the President
PRESIDENT MANDELA APPOINTS DEPUTY MINISTERS
President Nelson Mandela has decided to appoint the following Members of Parliament as Deputy Ministers, to fill some of the vacancies created by the decision of the National Party to withdraw from the Government of National Unity:
Lndiwe Sisulu-Guma - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Manto Shabalala - Deputy Minister of Justice Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa - Deputy Minister of Education
While the Deputy Ministers-designate will formally assume their positions on 1 July 1996, it is expected that they will, in the intervening period, liaise with their respective Ministers and the outgoing Deputy Ministers, so as to familiarise themselves with their new tasks and ensure as smooth a transition as possible.
Combined with the recommendation of the ANC leadership to the caucus, for the nomination of Baleka Kgositsile as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, the promotion of two additional women into senior leadership positions in Government further confirms the serious intent on the part of Government and the ANC to ensure that women play a critical role in the transformation of South African society into one based on non-racial and non-sexist principles.
In the interest of fiscal discipline, no further appointments are being considered at this stage. However, the effectiveness of government as currently constituted will be kept under review, and adjustments made if necessary.
21 May 1996
Issued by: Acting President, Thabo Mbeki
For further information contact: Joel Netshitenzhe 082 900 0083