There were none of the usual tantrums, bravado and insults when the cabinet held its first lekgotla
The uMkhonto weSizwe party and the Economic Freedom Fighters used the debate on Cyril Ramaphosa’s opening of parliament address to accuse him of ‘selling out to white’ interests
The president said the alternative was the desperation of a populist coalition intent on continuing the plunder of state resources
Infrastructure, municipalities and creating the conditions for economic growth are at the top of the government of national unity’s agenda
At the same briefing, the uMkhonto weSizwe party’s John Hlophe said the government of national unity would not last
There was a conciliation among political parties at the cabinet lekgotla on policies that have seen them at loggerheads
President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 but that will require finance and partnerships
An inflated cabinet filled with divergent viewpoints could also be a place in which any serious proposal for reform will go to die slowly, according to one expert
The president appointed opposition newcomers where they can be most effective but did not rid cabinet of compromised members of his party
Ministers and deputy ministers from nine parties took their oath of office after weeks of fraught coalition talks