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/ 29 April 2004

Role of women in cabinet bolstered

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President Thabo Mbeki has bolstered the role of women in the cabinet but he acknowledged that it had ”not yet reached 50%” of its membership. However, there are now 12 women out of 28 full cabinet ministers. This is up from nine ministers in the last government.

The women in cabinet are:

  • Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Thoko Didiza, who retains her post;

  • Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe Casaburri, who retains her post too;

  • Education Minister Naledi Pandor, who moves from the National Council of Provinces’ chairpersonship and replaces retiring Kader Asmal;

  • Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who retains her slot;

  • Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who retains her post;

  • Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who moves up from deputy minister and replaces Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who is out of cabinet;

  • Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu who moves from Intelligence and replaces Bridgette Mabandla;

  • Justice Minister Mabandla who moves from Housing and replaces retiring Penuell Maduna;

  • Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who remains in her post;

  • Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi who retains her post;

  • Public Works Minister Stella Sigcau, who remains in her post;

  • Water Affairs Buyi Sonjica, who was deputy Arts and Culture Minister.

Therefore just Mapisa-Nqakula, Sonjica and Pandor are new women to cabinet.

Ruling African National Congress spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama said in a statement that the cabinet reflected ”further progress made in addressing issues of gender representivity”.

”The significant number of women appointed as ministers and deputy ministers is testimony to our commitment to gender equality, and should serve as an example and an incentive to both public and private institutions across society.”

The number of women in deputy minister ranks has risen to 10 — out of 21. In the last government there were eight out of 16.

The deputy ministers named on Wednesday are:

    • Ntombazana Botha in arts and culture (moved from provincial and local government);

    • Cheryl Gillwald from Correctional Services (previously Justice);

    • Joyce Mabudafhasi from Environment and Tourism (remains the same);

    • Sue van der Merwe from Foreign Affairs (new appointment);

    • Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge from health (previously defence);

    • Lulu Xingwana from Minerals and Energy (new appointment but previously sport portfolio committee in the National Assembly);

    • Momatyala Hangana from provincial and local government (previously Housing MEC in the Western Cape);

    • Susan Shabangu from Safety and Security (previously Minerals and Energy);

    • Jean Benjamin from Social Development (new appointment but former chairperson of the Members’ Interest sub-committee of the National Assembly rules committee);

    • Lindi Hendricks from Trade and Industry (remains in place).

    – I-Net Bridge

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