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report cards 2025latest news & developments
President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)_

Cyril Ramaphosa: President

SCORE: B From surviving an internal plot inside the ANC to oust him at the party’s national general council (NGC), standing up to incecant attacks from United States bully Donald…

Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

Paul Mashatile: Deputy President

SCORE: D Deputy President Paulus Shipokosa Mashatile, the man tipped to replace President Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC president in 2027 and possibly the next leader of South Africa,…

John Steenhuisen: Agriculture

Agricultural exports and rural employment highlight Steenhuisen’s tenure, alongside ongoing disease and regulatory pressures

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana

Enoch Godongwana: Finance

SCORE: B+ Finance minister Godongwana’s leadership this year faced its first test during the tabling of the national budget. For the first time, the budget had to be re-tabled…

Minister of Trade Industry and Competition Parks Tau

Parks Tau: Trade Industry and Competition

SCORE: C+ Tau has had a tough year navigating the global turmoil triggered by US tariffs on several countries. The 30% on South Africa’s exports is certainly not a reflection of…

Senzo Mchunu: Police (suspended)

SCORE: F- Mchunu’s legacy has taken a heavy knock from allegations of collusion with criminal syndicates which were made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi…

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi

Mmamoloko Kubayi: Justice and Constitutional Development

SCORE: D It hasn’t been exactly a sterling year for Kubayi, particularly the tail end of it. One fumble that will stick in many people’s minds is how she recently suggested that…

Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientso Ramokgopa

Kgosientsho Ramokgopa: Electricity and Energy

SCORE: B+ A remarkable milestone under Ramokgopa’s leadership is an impressive and sustained electricity supply record, with over 196 consecutive days without loadshedding for…

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube.

Siviwe Gwarube: Basic Education

SCORE: C Under Gwarube, the department has seen some real and visible gains this year: record matric pass rates, a renewed strategic focus on early childhood and foundational…

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resource Gwede Mantashe

Gwede Mantashe: Mineral and Petroleum Resources

SCORE: D Mantashe’s tenure in the mining and petroleum sectors has been defined by a mix of early reforms and structural challenges. He oversaw the initial rollout of the…

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni: Minister in the Presidency

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni: Minister in the Presidency

SCORE: C As Cyril Ramaphosa’s most trusted ally and the go-to woman if you want his ear, Nthavheni is loved by some for protecting the president from undue external and internal…

Nobuhle Nkabane and Buti Manamela: Higher Education and Training

Nobuhle Nkabane | SCORE: E Buti Manamela | SCORE: C Before her dismissal Nkabane’s 2025 tenure was a case of ambitious intentions undermined by poor execution, lack of…

Velenkosini Hlabisa: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

SCORE: B In 2024,Velenkosini Hlabisa quickly brought both structure and order to South Africa’s most dysfunctional tier of government, reading them the riot act over unpaid Eskom…

Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Blade Nzimande.

Blade Nzimande: Science, Technology and Innovation

SCORE: C Nzimande’s first full year leading the ministry of science, technology and innovation has been defined by institutional housekeeping and strategic repositioning rather…

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga

Angie Motshekga: Defence and Military Veteran

SCORE: F The year 2025 was a baptism of fire for Motshekga, one of the worst performing ministers in the government of national unity. After South African soldiers were sent on…

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson

Dean Macpherson: Public Works and Infrastructure

SCORE: B- Macpherson tackled the construction mafia in 2024. Since June 2024, 40 non-performing contractors have been blacklisted from doing business with the department.…

Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga

Sindisiwe Chikunga: Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

SCORE: D The department has hardly made strides in addressing the national gender-based violence and femicide crisis besides awareness campaigns and public statements condemning…

Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy

Barbara Creecy: Transport

SCORE: E The department of transport gets an E because its leadership has decided to manage chaos rather than regulate a crisis. The department might point to some wins like the…

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi

Solly Malatsi: Communications and Digital Technologies

SCORE: C Malatsi moved into the communications and digital technologies portfolio with a reputation for discipline, clarity and political steadiness, qualities it desperately…

Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi.

Aaron Motsoaledi: Health

SCORE: C The Department of Health earns a C this year. Unlike previous years of total decline, the department hit major targets, particularly in its massive HIV and TB programs.…