The inauguration of President Kgalema Motlanthe on Thursday and his shuffling of the Cabinet have been roundly welcomed.
The Chamber of Mines on Friday praised the ”swift and decisive” way in which Motlanthe and the rest of the African National Congress (ANC) leaders brought calm to the markets after the uncertainty of the past week.
”If this is any indication of the kind of leadership we are to expect from our third democratically elected president, we are convinced that South Africa will continue to make the economic and political advances started in 1994,” it said in a statement.
”We were also delighted by the remarks made by President Motlanthe regarding continuation of economic policies.”
The chamber said it was particularly pleased at the reappointment of Buyelwa Sonjica as minerals and energy minister.
This would ensure the continuance of the mining industry’s positive relationship with the ministry and the uninterrupted continuation of the implementation of key initiatives in, among other areas, occupational health and safety.
Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), meanwhile, expressed confidence that domestic and international investors need not be concerned about the direction and stability of the country.
”In BLSA’s view the underlying continuity in the economic policy conduct of the country is also firmly in place,” it said in a statement.
Also encouraged and motivated by the ”swift and decisive” handling of the change of guard, the Businesswomen’s Association (BWA) said it was a clear indication of the level of maturity of the country’s democracy.
It had once again proved that a peaceful solution to divergent viewpoints was possible if the will of the people was taken into account, said BWA president Basetsana Kumalo.
She thanked former president Thabo Mbeki for his dedicated service to the country and his support of and commitment to the empowerment of women during his term in office.
She wished Motlanthe ”strength of character and infinite wisdom” as he took over the reins as president.
‘Celebration’
Meanwhile, it was Motlanthe’s decision to move Manto Tshabalala-Msimang out of the Health Ministry that drew much support.
The Treatment Action Campaign announced that it would gather outside Parliament on Friday night to ”celebrate” the appointment of Health Minister Barbara Hogan and her Deputy Minister, Molefi Sefularo.
Tshabalala-Msimang should have been fired nine years ago, said Democratic Alliance health spokesperson Mike Waters.
”… Tens of thousands of South Africans have lost their lives because of her ridiculous policies on HIV/Aids …,” he said.
He called on Hogan to, as a matter of urgency, spread the message that HIV does cause Aids, that Aids is no a death sentence, and that people can lead normal and productive lives while taking antiretrovirals.
”The minister also needs to ensure that our new president expresses these sentiments and is also seen as the champion of the HIV/Aids campaign.”
The private hospital industry was looking forward to developing positive relationships with Hogan and her team, said Hospital Association of South Africa chief executive Kurt Worrall-Clare in welcoming the new appointments.
The General Council of the Bar of South Africa offered its continued support to government in maintaining and upholding the rule of law, and in strengthening respect for the country’s institutions of democracy.
It also welcomed the appointment of the new Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Enver Surty, who takes over from Brigitte Mabandla.
It looked forward to ”speedily cementing a warm and healthy working relationship with him”, said the Council’s chairperson, Patric Mtshaulana.
The appointments were also welcomed by the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA), which looked forward to meeting Surty, particularly on the Legal Practice Bill, said its co-chairs Max Boqwana and C P Fourie.
”The LSSA envisages cooperating with the minister in ensuring the Bill will transform the governance and regulation of the profession by promoting on a national basis, a unified regulatory regime for both attorneys and advocates.
”The aim is to secure, insofar as it is practicable, uniformity, simplicity and efficiency in the practice of law, in the governance of the legal profession as a whole and in the administration of justice,” they said. — Sapa