Amidst widespread despondency over tonight’s cabinet reshuffle, the agriculture sector has expressed approval of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as the new minister of electricity.
Late this evening, Ramaphosa announced that Ramokgopa would be the first-ever person to hold this portfolio in South Africa.
His primary task, said the president, was to significantly reduce the severity and frequency of load shedding as a matter of urgency.
Additionally, the minister will effectively oversee the electricity crisis response, have political responsibility, authority, and control over all critical aspects of the energy action plan.
Acknowledging the appointment of Mzansi’s first electricity minister, Agri SA boss Christo van der Rheede welcomed Ramokgopa, who is no stranger to the government. Van der Rheede believed that he had the necessary experience, networks, and political will to drive implementation.
Ramokgopa has been heading the infrastructure development portfolio in the presidency for some time now, said Van der Rheede.
“I hope that as the previous head of the investment and infrastructure office in the presidency and as the lead of Infrastructure South Africa, that he will get the necessary support to bring an end to the electricity challenges we are experiencing,” Van der Rheede told Food For Mzansi.
“He has an in-depth grasp of the challenge and understands that electricity is the lifeblood of any economy. He is our last hope.”
Ramokgopa’s academic qualifications, include a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Durban Westville (now a campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal), Master of Public Administration from the University of Pretoria, and Master of Business Leadership from Unisa.
He also holds a certificate in executive development from Stellenbosch University and a PhD in public affairs from the University of Pretoria.
Other cabinet changes
As announced in Ramaphosa’s televised address to the nation, the recently published disaster regulations empowers Ramokgopa to issue directives to, among others, exclude critical facilities from load shedding where technically feasible, expedite various regulatory processes for energy projects, and enable Eskom to undertake critical maintenance more quickly and efficiently.
In addition to the appointment of the new electricity minister, other cabinet changes include Paul Mashatile as the new deputy president of the country, replacing David Mabuza who resigned.
The minister in the presidency responsible for planning, monitoring, and evaluation is Maropene Ramokgopa. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is now the minister in the presidency responsible for women, youth, and persons with disabilities. She has been removed from the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs and replaced by Thembi Nkadimeng.
Patricia de Lille replaces Lindiwe Sisulu as the minister of tourism, while Zizi Kodwa replaces Nathi Mhethwa as the minister of sports, arts and culture. Mondli Gungubele steps in as the minister of communications and digital technologies, replacing Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
The minister of public service and administration is Noxolo Kiviet, and Sihle Zikalala steps in as the minister of public works and infrastructure. Sindisiwe Chikunga has been announced as the new minister of transport, replacing Fikile Mbalula.
Ramaphosa said he had full confidence that his new cabinet would fulfill their tasks with rigor and dedication. “I have instructed both new and existing members of cabinet to act with speed and urgency to address the challenges that our country faces.”
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