The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) urged newly appointed Cabinet ministers on Monday to bring down “unacceptable” levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
“We urge the new team to remain fully united so that we can move forward together to deliver on our promises and bring down the unacceptable levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality,” a Cosatu statement said.
“Cosatu will seek to meet with the new ministers as soon as possible to discuss how we can work with them to implement the policies of the ANC’s 2007 Polokwane conference.”
South African Communist Party spokesperson Malesela Maleka said President Jacob Zuma’s “intervention” was “an ongoing effort to strengthen implementation of the ANC-led alliance’s electoral manifesto and to speed up delivery of basic services”.
Concern
However, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed concern that the reshuffle would not solve the country’s problems.
“Although the reshuffle of Cabinet may be interpreted as a decisive response to protracted progress toward government objectives, the chamber is concerned that the reshuffle has resulted in a larger administration,” it said in a statement. “The chamber is of the view that more effective delivery outcomes can be coaxed, not through the deployment of more resources, but through more effective use of current resources.”
The Democratic Alliance welcomed the reshuffle.
But MP Athol Trollip warned: “While the Cabinet reshuffle makes an important statement about the Zuma administration’s commitment to improving this government’s performance, it is important that accountability not be used as a guise to implement a political agenda.”
United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said there was no basis for the argument that it was intended to address service delivery.
“The only realistic analysis of the reshuffle is that it is intended to address ANC internal politics,” Holomisa said in a statement.
African Christian Democratic Party president Kenneth Meshoe said his party could only hope the reshuffle would improve delivery.
“We nevertheless are surprised by what we believe to be non-performing ministers who escaped the axe,” said Meshoe.
The Freedom Front Plus said it remained to be seen if the reshuffle would lead to better service delivery.
Optimistic
But others were more optimistic.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said his new deputy, Makhotso Magdalene Sotyu, was “an equally gutsy, committed and hard-working replacement” as her predecessor, Fikile Mbalula, the new sport and recreation minister.
Mthethwa, who reportedly clashed with Mbalula behind the scenes, wished him well in his new position.
The African National Congress Youth League in KwaZulu-Natal welcomed the appointments of youth league stalwarts Mbalula and Malusi Gigaba, the new public enterprises minister.
“Youth league graduates will never disappoint in their responsibilities,” the provincial ANCYL said.
Black Management Forum (BMF) president Jimmy Manyi said the reshuffle was “a clear demonstration that this administration was serious about service delivery and top performance”.
“The BMF strongly believes that the decisive leadership of President Zuma is to be applauded.”
Olympic governing body Sascoc welcomed Mbalula’s appointment as new sport minister while the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union was happy about the appointment of its former general secretary, Thulas Nxesi, as deputy minister for rural development and land reform.
The Communication Workers’ Union and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa also praised Zuma’s actions.
‘Ineffective, inefficient and grossly incompetent’
But South African Democratic Students’ Movement spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the changes were an admission of failure.
“The Cabinet reshuffle is a direct admission by President Zuma that government has been largely ineffective, inefficient and grossly incompetent.
“It confirms that concerns about the slow pace of service delivery were not misplaced, nor were they mere ravings and rantings about sweet nothing. The concerns were totally justified. But, I suppose, it is better late than never,” said Hlengwa.
The Inkatha Freedom Party agreed, saying: “We hope that this Cabinet reshuffle will usher in a new area of responsible ministers, and that there will be a renewed focus on accountability and delivery.”
The Health Professions Council of South Africa and the South African Medical Association welcomed the appointment of Gwen Ramokgopa as the new deputy health minister.
The office of the ANC’s chief whip said it would act “with the necessary swiftness in filling the vacant posts” in Parliament caused by the reshuffle.
In the changes announced on Sunday, seven ministers were removed, two were moved into other ministerial posts, and 14 new deputies were appointed. — Sapa