As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to announce his new cabinet later this week, all eyes are on Dr Ivan Meyer as a potential successor to Thoko Didiza as minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development.
Didiza’s election as speaker of the National Assembly positions her among the three most influential figures in South African governance, alongside the president and chief justice. Over the weekend, Ramaphosa temporarily appointed Senzo Mchunu, the minister of water and sanitation, to Didiza’s former portfolio.
Under the new government of national unity, Ramaphosa has committed to consulting with the DA, the IFP, and other potential coalition partners about his new cabinet. However, the EFF and MK, former president Jacob Zuma’s new political party, have opted to remain in opposition rather than join the unity government.
This new political landscape requires careful negotiation over cabinet positions.
DA leader John Steenhuisen emphasised that the DA intends to assume leadership roles in the cabinet and on parliamentary portfolio committees proportionate to its share of seats in the National Assembly. Nationally, the ANC secured about 40% of votes, the DA 22%, the IFP nearly 4%, and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) 2%.
Meanwhile, the agriculture sector eagerly awaits the announcement of Didiza’s permanent replacement, as political leaders continue to commend her following her election as speaker on Friday.
Helen Zille, chair of the DA’s federal council, described Didiza as “very strong,” adding that “there is not a single man in the house she won’t stare down.” Mmusi Maimane, leader of Bosa, said, “I had the privilege of working with Didiza in the fifth and sixth administrations. I think she is a fair, strong individual, and I think parliament will be well served by her in the seventh administration.”
Political analyst Dr Mpumelelo Mkhabela noted the significance of Didiza’s new role, placing her among the three most powerful decision-makers in South Africa, alongside Ramaphosa and chief justice Raymond Zondo.
DA’s strategy and final decisions
Steenhuisen confirmed that the DA will finalise its list of preferred cabinet positions on Monday. However, there is speculation that the ANC might offer the DA portfolios in the departments of water and sanitation, energy, local government, and trade and industry.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the appointment of Didiza’s successor, Meyer has emerged as a strong contender following his success in the Western Cape’s agriculture portfolio. Another possible contender, Desbo Mohono, the former North West MEC for agriculture and rural development, was elected as the provincial speaker on Friday.
Professor Theo Venter, a political analyst at the University of Johannesburg, remarked on the complexity of forming the new cabinet.
He told Food For Mzansi, “We know that appointing the cabinet is the president’s prerogative, but now that the government of national unity is in place, there will be intense negotiations behind the scenes. No provincial minister of agriculture has been as successful as Dr Ivan Meyer in the Western Cape, so it’s possible he could be brought into the national cabinet if it aligns with the strategies of both the ANC and DA.”
However, the final makeup of the cabinet remains a subject of speculation and strategic manoeuvring. With the apprently IFP also vying for at least two cabinet positions, the negotiations will undoubtedly aim to balance representation and the political ambitions of the coalition partners.
Didiza’s career and legacy
Didiza’s career in agriculture began as deputy minister under former president Nelson Mandela’s government of national unity from 1994 to 1999. She continued to rise in politics, serving as minister of agriculture and land affairs and later as minister of public works under President Thabo Mbeki.
Following Mbeki’s recall in 2008, she briefly withdrew from politics until returning to parliament in 2014. Despite facing unrest over her nomination for mayor of Tshwane in 2016, Didiza resumed a ministerial role after the 2019 election. She has been a longstanding member of the ANC’s national executive committee since 1997, with a gap from 2007 to 2012.
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