OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Thursday
PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki has reached across party political lines in his first cabinet shuffle since taking office with the appointment of Azapo leader Mosibudi Mangena and IFP MP Musa Zondi – but the opposition says he missed a golden opportunity to clear out some dead wood.
Mangena, a highly regarded academic – with an MSc in applied mathematics – and disciple of slain black consciousness leader Steve Biko, replaces Smangaliso Mkhatshwa as Deputy Education Minister. Mkhatshwa is now mayor of Tshwane.
Mangena, who was appointed in his personal capacity, will resign as the Azanian People’s Organisation sole MP in Parliament, paving the way for a senior party leader to replace him in the National Assembly.
Zondi has been appointed Deputy Minister of Public Works, replacing IFP colleague Buyisiwe Nzimande, who is tipped to become ambassador to Thailand.
Mbeki also ended Deputy Home Affairs Minister Lindiwe Sisulus long wait to become a full minister, appointing her as Intelligence Minister. She was originally earmarked as Home Affairs Minister in the Mbeki administration, but saw the post filled by Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who was originally earmarked for the deputy presidency.
The President also moved decisively to shore up Home Affairs, which is widely regarded as one of the under-performing government departments, by appointing SA Communist Party chairman Charles Nqakula as deputy minister. Nqakula served as Mbeki’s parliamentary counsellor in Parliament, a role that will now be filled by ANC MP Sue van der Merwe.
Mangena said: “I know what’s there in education. It’s a huge mess. It’s one of the reasons that persuaded me to take the job. There’s absolute squalor in some schools and the conditions that our children have to learn under is appalling.”
Mangena, who served on the National Assembly’s education committee, said he was always criticising from the sidelines, but sometimes it was necessary to put aside political differences. “One can’t stand back when asked to make a contribution.”
Mangena quashed any notions of an alliance between Azapo and the ANC, saying Mbeki’s offer had come to him personally. Although there was broad agreement that he should accept the post, there were Azapo members who still felt strongly that this was a mistake.