Jacob Zuma is expected to retain some of the technocrats who work behind the scenes in the presidency when he moves into the Union Buildings this week.
Several politically connected top brains who were appointed for their expertise rather than their political clout will stay on.
Head of the policy unit in the presidency, Joel Netshitenzhe, confirmed that he was going nowhere. ”I have indicated that I have a contract and I’m intending to see it through,” he told the Mail & Guardian last week.
However, it has not been spelt out how the envisaged planning commission will work in relation to the policy unit.
Zuma is also expected to retain the skills of Netshitenzhe’s other colleagues — Alan Hirsch, head of the economic sector in the presidency’s policy coordination and advisory services, and the office’s chief operations officer, Trevor Fowler.
”Hirsch is one of the finest he [Zuma] can get; the country’s economy is nothing without Hirsch,” said a source close to the presidency.
A product of Harvard University, Hirsch is seen as one of the intellectuals behind the Gear macroeconomic framework.
A staffer at the Union Buildings said it would have been difficult for the three technocrats to just pack and go, even if they wanted to. ”They are officials of government, they are contractually bound.”
Government spokesperson Themba Maseko said no changes were expected, but that the new administration could decide to re-examine the staffing of the presidency after it had established itself. ”Joel is on a contract until 2011. The others [Hirsch and Fowler] are full-time employees of the state,” said Maseko.
The only people whose jobs are likely to be affected are those in the private offices of the president and the deputy president.
It is expected that President Kgalema Motlanthe’s special advisers, former Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool and Khulu Mbatha, will vacate the Union Buildings. Rasool was sworn in as an MP this week.
”Motlanthe might take them back if he serves as the deputy president,” said the staffer.
The former director general in the presidency, Frank Chikane, quietly vacated his office last week, concluding his extended service with an official farewell party at the Union Buildings.
Motlanthe, who personally thanked him for his services, is understood to have asked Chikane to stay on after former president Thabo Mbeki was sacked last year.
”He didn’t want to further deprive the presidency of talent after some people left with Mbeki, but that’s over now,” said a Union Buildings staffer.
Maseko’s contract as government spokesperson has been extended for another three years.
Zuma is expected to start by filling the crucial post of director general. He is also expected to bring his own advisers, spokesperson and personal assistant.