Newly appointed Western Cape Premier Lynne Brown announced her new cabinet this week.
As expected, Garth Strachan, formerly the provincial spokesperson of the ANC, was appointed to finance, economics and tourism. Also, as predicted, embattled safety and security MEC Leonard Ramatlakane was replaced by Patrick McKenzie.
Brown axed housing MEC Richard Dyantyi and replaced him with Whitey Jacobs. Dyantyi has been at loggerheads with national Minister of Housing Lindiwe Sisulu for some time.
Yousuf Gabru replaces Cameron Dugmore in the education portfolio. Zodwa Magwaza, regarded as a strong feminist, is in charge of social development.
Half of Brown’s cabinet served under her predecessor, Ebrahim Rasool: Marius Fransman moved from transport to health; the highly regarded MEC for health, Pierre Uys, was moved to local government, environmental affairs and development planning; Dugmore moved to cultural affairs and sport, Koleka Mqulwana will head transport and public works while Kobus Dowry remains in agriculture. — Pearlie Joubert