OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Thursday 6.10pm.
NEWLY sworn in Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Ronnie Kasrils on Thursday said he was happy with his new post, describing it as a “mid-life change”.
He said he would follow the policies laid down by his predecessor, Kader Asmal, and attempt to speed up the delivery of water.
Thursday 5.35pm.
New Transport Minister Dullah Omar on Thursday said his main objectives would include ending taxi violence by regulating the industry, reducing road fatalities and bringing about affordable public transport.
Thursday 5.30pm.
Inkatha Freedom Party Cabinet minister, Dr Ben Ngubane, said he was delighted at being retained as Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
In a statement released soon after the announcement of new president Thabo Mbeki’s cabinet, Ngubane said the next five years held “exciting challenges and opportunities”.
Newly-appointed Provincial Affairs and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi on Thursday said he hoped to strengthen all tiers of government, but added that it was too early to talk about priorities.
Elated new Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Penuell Maduna, acknowledged that the challenges he faced in his new position were enormous but said they would also be “interesting.”
He said some of these challenges would include making changes to the constitution if there was a requirement to do so.
Thursday 4.30pm.
Defence minister Patrick “Terror” Lekota pledged to make the South African National Defence Force more gender-representative.
Speaking shortly after the announcement of his appointment, Lekota said that up until now, the emphasis had been on male recruitment and the new emphasis should be on “gender-visibility.”
On South African peace-keeping on the continent, Lekota said South Africa had a role to play.
The new foreign minister, Doctor Nkosazana Zuma, said she was ready for her new role in government.
“I didn’t expect this. This is a real surprise,” she said, adding, “I have to learn a lot but I’m ready for it.” she said.
The new Safety and Security Minister, Steve Tshwete, promised adequate protection from crime and violence for all South Africans.
“The support of my colleagues in other departments, the entire government apparatus, the police force itself and the public, will make my job easier,” Tshwete said after his appointment was announced.
The former sport and recreation minister had a message for the SAPS as well — that they would need to perform highly to meet the challenges facing the country.
Newly appointed Public Enterprises minister Jeff Radebe said he would make the speeding up of the privatisation of state assets a priority.