President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced his new cabinet in a press briefing on Thursday evening (5 August).

In his late-night reshuffle, Ramaphosa said that the changes come as the country faces a number of challenges including the Covid-19 vaccination programme, peace and stability after recent and unrest, and mobilising resources to rebuild the economy.

Ramaphosa said that there are also a number of vacancies that need to be filled in the executive after the death of the minister in the presidency, Jackson Mthembu, and the resignation of health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.

Ramaphosa said that he has also accepted a request from finance minister Tito Mboweni to step down.

As part of the changes, the president also announced the separation of the department of water and sanitation the department of human settlements. The department of state security will also be moved into the presidency, he said.

The new ministers are:

  • Minister in the Presidency – Mondli Gungubele
  • Minister of Communications and Digital Technology – Khumbudzo Ntshavehni
  • Minister of Defence – Thandi Modise
  • Minister of Finance – Enoch Godongwana
  • Minister of Health – Joe Phaahla
  • Minister of Human Settlements – Mmamoloko Kubayi
  • Minister of Public Service and Administration – Ayanda Dlodlo
  • Minister of Small Business – Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams
  • Minister of Tourism – Lindiwe Sisiulu
  • Minister of Water and Sanitation – Senzo Mchunu

This is the full list of Ramaphosa’s cabinet members:

Position Minister Shuffled Out
Deputy President David Mabuza
Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele Jackson Mthembu (deceased)
Minister of Women, Youth and Persons With Disabilities Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga
Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Khumbudzo Ntshavheni Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi
Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy
Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana Tito Mboweni (resigned)
Minister of Health Joe Phaahla Zweli Mkhize (resigned)
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande
Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi
Minister of Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi New department
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola
Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe
Minister of Police Bheki Cele
Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan
Minister of Public Service and Administration Ayanda Dlodlo Senzo Mchunu
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille
Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa
Minister of State Security New department under the presidency Ayanda Dlodlo
Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu Mmamoloko Kubayi
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel
Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula
Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu Lindiwe Sisulu

Ramaphosa also announced that a number of deputy minister appointments had been made:

  • Zizi Kodwa will be deputy minister in the presidency responsible for State Security;
  • Pinky Kekana will come in as a second deputy minister in the presidency;
  • Zoleka Capa will come in as deputy minister of agriculture, rural development and land reform;
  • Philly Mapulane will be the new deputy of communications;
  • Thembi Nkadimeng will be the new deputy of cooperative governance and traditional affairs;
  • Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo is the new deputy minister of health;
  • Dr Nobuhle Nkabane is the new deputy of mineral resources and energy;
  • Dr Chana Pilane-Majake is deputy minister of public service and administration;
  • Mr Sdumo Dlamini is deputy minister of small business development;
  • Sindisiwe Chikunga is the new deputy minister of transport;
  • Dikeledi Magadzi is the new deputy minister of water;
  • Zizi Kodwa is the new deputy minister in the presidency responsible for state security.