Former businessman and politician Themba James Maseko is the new head of government communications, Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad announced on Wednesday afternoon.
Maseko, a former African National Congress MP, becomes CEO of the Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS), which makes him spokesperson for the government.
He replaces Joel Netshitenzhe, who moves to become head of the policy and coordination advisory unit in the presidency. Pahad said Netshitenzhe would continue attending Cabinet meetings in his new capacity. Netshitenzhe conducted his last post-Cabinet briefing to the media at Parliament on Wednesday.
Maseko holds a BA in sociology and law and an LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand. He has an MBA from De Montford University in the United Kingdom.
He was for a short time an MP — from 1994 to 1995 — before being appointed superintendent general of the Gauteng Department of Education. He served in that post until 2000.
He was MD of the Damelin Education Group and CEO of Sifikile Investments during 2001 and 2002.
Maseko was director general of the Department of Public Works from February 2003 to February this year. He will relinquish positions in the private sector once assuming his new post, the government said.
Maseko serves on the boards of Adopt a School Foundation, the Centre for Public Service Innovation and the Vista University Council. — I-Net Bridge