Mail & Guardian reporters
Kader Asmal (Education):Had remarkable success as minister of water affairs and forestry, despite the onset of enervating illness. Intelligent and hard working, he was a distinguished legal academic before returning from 27 years in exile. He was placed at number four on the African National Congress’s national election list, showing that ability to deliver counts for votes in the ruling party. Will have his work cut out dealing with one of the most critical portfolios.
Mangosuthu Buthelezi (Home Affairs): The man the ANC struggles to keep sweet, not because they like him but because peace in KwaZulu-Natal seems to demand it. Buthelezi (71) refused the deputy presidency, not wanting to step into a position whose powers have been substantially downgraded with the move of its previous occupant to the presidency.
Thoko Didiza (Agriculture and Land): A forceful, determined individual. As deputy she clashed with her minister, Derek Hanekom of the ANC, over drought relief subsidies for farmers.
Nkosazana Zuma (Foreign Affairs): One of the big surprises for a woman who, despite her tenacity, is not known as a diplomat, though she is probably the most powerful woman in South African politics.
Alec Erwin (Trade and Industry): Has won the respect of business and international trade bodies for his competence, despite his trade union background and membership of the South African Communist Party. The reappointment of Erwin (51) is an indication that the economic portfolios have been under Mbeki’s control for a couple of years anyway.
Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi (Public Service and Administration): Hardworking though not always effective. Aged 38, she is also deputy chairof the SACP, although not part of the anti-Mbeki group.
Ronnie Kasrils (Water Affairs and Forestry): As deputy was a great help to his minister, Joe Modise. Thoroughly deserves promotion to the Cabinet. Difficult to know what background he has in this portfolio, but then Kader Asmal before him didn’t have much prior experience either.
Patrick `Terror’ Lekota (Defence): Made a successful grab for the chair of the ANC at the 1997 congress – against the wishes of some in the leadership. A popular man and good communicator with a reputation for integrity, he was a star of the Mass Democratic Movement during the anti- apartheid struggle. A popular choice in a key portfolio.
Penuell Maduna (Justice): He acquitted himself miserably at minerals and energy. One can only hope that Maduna’s experience as a constitutional lawyer stands him in better stead for the enormous challenge of reforming the country’s rickety justice system.
Trevor Manuel (Finance): Deserves to keep his place. Commands considerable business confidence and has overseen construction of a very strong Department of Finance.
Membathisi Mdladlana (Labour): The story is that he was so vocally contemptuous of trade unions in the ANC caucus that Mbeki decided he was the man to sort out the workers when Tito Mboweni went to the Reserve Bank. No rocket scientist, he nonetheless succeeded in steering tricky labour legislation through Parliament shortly after taking over.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (Mineral and Energy Affairs): Deputy minister of trade and industry since 1996. Assigned the primary responsibility for the small, medium and micro-enterprise sector. Aged 43, she is married to Bulelani Ngcuka, the national director of public prosecutions.
Valli Moosa (Environmental Affairs and Tourism): As minister of provincial affairs and constitutional development, he proved himself able and industrious, though occasionally obsequious. Moosa made his name as an activist with the Mass Democratic Movement. Will be widely welcomed in this portfolio.
Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele (Housing): She makes a surprising return to housing. The low point of her first tenure at housing was when she fired her director general, Billy Cobbett, after he blew the whistle on a provincial housing scam.
Sydney Mufamadi (Provincial and Local Government): Former minister of safety and security. One of the few “internal” members of the liberation movement to have developed a close rapport with Mbeki. Mufamadi’s stint at safety and security has been little short of disastrous. Was tipped for foreign affairs but has been allocated a more lightweight post.
Ben Ngubane (Arts, Culture, Science and Technology): One of the more moderate and urbane members of the Inkatha Free- dom Party who is highly regarded in this portfolio.
Joe Nhlanhla (Intelligence): Moves up from deputy where, as government chief spook, his time has been taken up with integrating the service and dealing with rogue members. Mbeki loyalist.
Dullah Omar (Transport): Did not have an easy time at justice, shouldering much of the blame for the decline in the criminal justice system. At age 64, this will be an easier portfolio.
Jeff Radebe (Public Enterprises): Aged 45, he is an able strategist, and popular in the ANC and the SACP. Was tipped for a higher-profile ministry but this one will be critical because he will be responsible for driving privatisation.
Stella Sigcau (Public Works): Huge surprise that she is in the Cabinet at all. Sigcau’s lineage – she is a Xhosa princess – is the only explanation as to how she has secured her place in the ANC hierarchy
Ben Skosana (Correctional Services): An IFP heavyweight who has won respect for his enthusiastic approach and willingness to learn from international practice.
Zola Skweyiya (Welfare and Population Development): He has not distinguished himself with his attempts at transforming the myriad administrations bequeathed by the apartheid era into a single national public service and nine provincial administrations.
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang (Health): She has a masters degree in public health, a diploma in obstetrics and gynaecology, a medical degree awarded in Russia, and has attended several courses on health care systems. Generally regarded as a good choice.
Steve Tshwete (Safety and Security): Former minister of sport, he has not distinguished himself in the government or in the party since 1994. Regarded as a disappointing choice for such a key portfolio.
Jacob Zuma (Deputy President): The ANC deputy president’s main task over the past five years has been keeping the peace in KwaZulu-Natal and a watchful eye on the IFP.