Enoch Godongwana appointed Finance Minister; water, human settlements Ministries to be split

5th August 2021 By: Chanel de Bruyn - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Enoch Godongwana appointed Finance Minister; water, human settlements Ministries to be split

Enoch Godongwana
Photo by: Creamer Media

In a long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, President Cyril Ramaphosa on August 5 announced the appointment of Enoch Godongwana as Finance Minister.

This follows the resignation of Tito Mboweni.

"I have accepted a long-standing request by Minister Mboweni to be excused from his position as Minister of Finance. [He] took up this position following the sudden departure of former Minister Nhlanhla Nene in October 2018.

"Since then, he has effectively and ably steered the National Treasury through extremely difficult economic times, providing stability and instilling confidence. I am grateful to Minister Mboweni for responding to the call to serve our nation at its time of need," Ramaphosa said.

Zweli Mkhize has also resigned as Health Minister, with Joe Phaahla appointed his successor.

Ramaphosa also announced that the Water and Sanitation and Human Settlements Ministries would be split.

"At the beginning of this administration, we had brought these two portfolios together on the understanding that the provision of water is closely tied to the development of human settlements. However, the reality is that water is a far broader issue, impacting not only on human settlements, but also on agriculture, industry, mining and environmental management.

"Water is our country’s most critical natural resource. Water security is fundamental to the lives and health of our people, to the stability of our society and to the growth and sustainability of our economy. We have therefore decided that water and sanitation should be a separate Ministry, which will enable a dedicated focus on ensuring that all South Africans have access to a secure and sustainable supply of this precious resource," he said.

Senzo Mchunu has been appointed Water and Sanitation Minister and Mmamoloko Kubayi Human Settlements Minister.

Government has also decided to "do away" with the Ministry of State Security and to place political responsibility for the State Security Agency in the Presidency.

"This is to ensure that the country’s domestic and foreign intelligence services more effectively enable the President to exercise his responsibility to safeguard the security and integrity of the nation," Ramaphosa said.

Zizi Kodwa has been appointed Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for state security.

Other Cabinet changes include the appointment of Mondli Gungubele as Minister in the Presidency; Khumbudzo Ntshaveni as Communications and Digital Technologies Minister; Thandi Modise as Defence and Military Veterans Minister; Ayanda Dlodlo as Public Service and Administration Minister; Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams as Small Business Development Minister; and Lindiwe Sisulu as Tourism Minister.

Further, Pinky Kekana has been appointed as a second Deputy Minister in the Presidency; Zoleka Capa Deputy Agriculture, Rural Development Land Reform Minister; Philly Mapulane Deputy Communications and Digital Technologies Minister; Thembi Nkadimeng Deputy Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister; Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo Deputy Health Minister; Dr Nobuhle Nkabane Deputy Mineral Resources and Energy Minister; Dr Chana Pilane-Majake Deputy Public Service and Administration Minister; Sdumo Dlamini Deputy Small Business Development Minister; Sindisiwe Chikunga Deputy Transport Minister; and Dikeledi Magadzi Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister.