Professional Update
A
monthly newsletter for KZN Attorneys from the Kwazulu-Natal Law Society

1 June 2009

This professional service draws attention to current and important items of news
 and members are directed to the hosts' websites

InfoUpdate 11 of 2009
Useful Links
and Items of Interest

Electronic copies of this information may be obtained from our librarians at help@lawlibrary.co.za or click on the underlined hyperlink where relevant

South Africa - National and Provincial Government Appointments

6 May 2009
National Assembly resignations and replacements
SA Government Information website

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department [http://www.doa.agric.za/]

Minister : Tina Joemat-Pettersson
Deputy Minister : Dr Pieter Mulder

Pieter Mulder's six conditions for joining cabinet - 12 May
President Jacob Zuma has in the recent past on various occasions reached out to the Afrikaner and other minorities. These discussions were rightfully viewed by Afrikaners with cynicism as political manoeuvres before the election. President Zuma has now followed it up after the election by offering a deputy minister's position to the FF Plus in continuation of his reaching out to the Afrikaner. -
Politicsweb website

Farmers welcome split in agri department - 13 May
Farmers have welcomed the splitting of the former department of agriculture into two, saying their concerns will now receive more attention. On Sunday, President Jacob Zuma announced that the department would be split into the Department Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. -
BuaNews Online website

Arts and Culture Department [http://www.dac.gov.za/]

Minister : Lulu Xingwana
Deputy Minister :
Paul Mashatile

Basic Education Department

Minister : Angie Motshekga
Deputy Minister :
Enver Surty

Communications Department [http://www.doc.gov.za/]

Minister : Siphiwe Nyanda
Deputy Minister :
Dina Pule

Mystery general takes over SA telecoms - 11 May
The choice of a military man with no telecoms background as South Africa's communications minister has baffled the industry and may complicate efforts to improve Internet and phone services in Africa's biggest economy. Siphiwe Nyanda was sworn in as communications minister by newly elected President Jacob Zuma on Monday. -
Creamer Media's Engineering News website

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department (formerly Provincial and Local Government)

Minister : Sicelo Shiceka
Deputy Minister :
Yunus Carrim

Zuma includes Traditional Affairs in new administration - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

House of Traditional Leaders gives Shiceka the nod - 11 May
BuaNews Online website

Municipal finances to get shake-up - 14 May
Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka has promised to help municipalities achieve clean financial audit reports by 2014. -
allAfrica website

Correctional Services Department [http://www.dcs.gov.za/]

Minister : Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
Deputy Minister :
Hlengiwe Mkhize

Defence and Military Veterans Department (formerly Defence)

Minister : Lindiwe Sisulu
Deputy Minister :
Thabang Makwetla

Eastern Cape [http://www.ecprov.gov.za/]

Premier : Noxolo Kiviet

New premier to be sworn in this morning - 6 May
Former Bhisho legislature speaker Noxolo Kiviet will be sworn in as premier of the Eastern Cape this morning. -
Weekend Post website

Kiviet sworn in as Eastern Cape Premier - 6 May
BuaNews Online website

7 May 2009
Media statement by the Premier, Noxolo Kiviet on the announcement of members of the provincial cabinet
SA Government Information website

Economic Development Department

Minister : Ebrahim Patel
Deputy Minister :
Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde

Ebrahim Patel : the SACTWU biography - 12 May
Politicsweb website

Cabinet to get a view from the shop floor - 12 May
The appointment of former South African Clothing and Textile Workers (Sactwu) general secretary Ebrahim Patel as economic development minister means that the intense conflict between the government and labour over economic policy will now take place within the Cabinet. A staunch opponent of the Growth, Employment and Redistribution policy adopted by the government in the mid-90s, the slightly built Patel will no doubt use his newly acquired power to push for a growth path that creates more jobs. -
Business Day website

Education Department (now Basic Education, and, Higher Education and Training Departments)

Education to have two ministers - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

Education shake-up hailed despite misgivings - 12 May
Athough the African National Congress's (ANC's) decision to split the education ministry into two has been welcomed, reaction to the people appointed to the posts has been mixed. -
Business Day website

Energy Department

Minister : Dipuo Peters

New-look energy portfolio welcomed - 12 May
The splitting of the Department of Minerals and Energy would lead to more focused attention on energy issues, according to participants in the energy field. With energy-related problems increasingly taking centre stage, the split has long been on the cards. Mining and energy are considered complex sectors that could not continue to be housed in one ministry. -
Business Day website

New Energy Department outlines key priorities - 20 May
The newly-established Department of Energy on Wednesday announced its short- to medium-term priorities for the sector at a conference Cape Town. The new department, which was formed when President Jacob Zuma split the Minerals and Energy department into two portfolios, will focus on issues such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and new generation capacity. It also announced that it planned to launch a green jobs initiative. - Creamer Media's Engineering News website

Finance Department [http://www.treasury.gov.za/]

Minister : Pravin Gordhan
Deputy Minister :
Nhlanhla Nene

Pravin Gordhan named SA's new Finance Minister - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

New finance minister for S Africa - 10 May
New South African President Jacob Zuma has named Pravin Gordhan as his new finance minister. He will take over from Trevor Manuel, who has been appointed head of a new national planning body. -
BBC News website

Finance minister promises continuity of economic policy - 12 May
South Africa will work to ensure continuity of economic policy while leaving room to manoeuvre to respond to the global financial crisis, new Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Monday. Shortly after being sworn in, he said that policies in place would help to steer the country through the downturn. -
Moneyweb website

Finance Minister Gordhan reassures on debt, output dives - 12 May
South Africa is managing its debt to ensure it does not over-borrow in its efforts to boost growth, new Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Tuesday, as output data signalled an economy in recession. He also said in a series of radio and television interviews that the government would be discussing policy issues including inflation targeting, one of the investor-friendly policies that Labour and communist allies of the ruling ANC want to change. -
Creamer Media's Engineering News website

Policy must be flexible : Gordhan - 12 May
New Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has said government is willing to debate economic policies like inflation targeting. -
Business Report website

SARS appoints acting Commissioner - 12 May
BuaNews Online website

Free State [http://www.fs.gov.za/ ]

Premier : Ace Magashule

Magashule elected as Free State premier - 6 May
Free State ANC chairperson Ace Magashule was on Wednesday declared Free State premier during the inauguration of members of the provincial legislature. The announcement of Magashule's premiership by acting Free State Judge President Faan Hancke was greeted with a huge cheer, chanting and the singing of ANC songs at the Mangaung Indoor Sport's Centre. -
IOL website

Gauteng [http://www.gpg.gov.za/]

Premier : Nomvula Mokonyane

Mokonyane declared premier of Gauteng - 6 May
Nomvula Paula Mokonyane was on Wednesday officially declared the premier of Gauteng. Mokonyane was nominated by former Gauteng premier Paul Mashatile and the nomination was seconded by MP Lindiwe Maseko. -
Mail & Guardian website

Gauteng's new MECs announced - 8 May
BuaNews Online website

Health Department [http://www.doh.gov.za/]

Minister : Dr Aaron Motsoaledi
Deputy Minister :
Dr Molefi Sefularo

Hogan replaced as Health Minister - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

18 May 2009
Address by the Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi at a press conference to outline his priorities

Higher Education and Training Department

Minister : Dr Blade Nzimande

Blade Nzimande : Minister of Higher Education and Training - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

Minister confident of taking on higher education challenges - 12 May
BuaNews Online website

Home Affairs Department [http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/]

Minister : Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Deputy Minister :
Malusi GigabaHogan replaced as Health Minister

Human Settlements Department (formerly Housing)

Minister : Tokyo Sexwale
Deputy Minister :
Zou Kota

Businessman Sexwale to head new housing ministry - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

Sexwale ponders Cabinet, business 'conflicts'  - 12 May
Human Settlements Minister and prominent businessman Tokyo Sexwale is taking legal advice about potential conflicts of interest between his business concerns and his appointment to the Cabinet, his spokesman says. Sexwale, one of the success stories of black economic empowerment, is executive chairman of Mvelaphanda Group, which has investments in construction, via a shareholding in Group Five, in banking, through a shareholding in Absa, and in property. -
Business Day website

Sexwale to resign from Mvelaphanda - 12 May
BuaNews Online website

Sexwale to engage business on housing shortfall, meet with banks on financing - 25 May
The new Department of Human Settlements would be approaching the top 300 JSE-listed companies, to assist in bridging the current 2,2-milllion housing shortfall in the country, Minister Tokyo Sexwale said on Monday. Although companies listed on the JSE had social responsibility plans, Sexwale said he wished those companies would go a mile further and assist the government. “Individuals in business and other sectors are also going to be approached to see how they can help, particularly by building homes for other South Africans who are not so fortunate. I have already raised this possibility with some people and have been pleasantly surprised by the response,” he said at a briefing in Johannesburg. - Creamer Media's Engineering News website

International Relations and Cooperation Department (formerly Foreign Affairs)

Minister : Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
Deputy Minister :
Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim
Deputy Minister :
Sue van der Merwe

Department of Foreign Affairs renamed, restructured - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

New name outlines department's mandate - 21 May
BuaNews Online website

Justice and Constitutional Development Department [http://www.doj.gov.za/]

Minister : Jeff Radebe
Deputy Minister :
Andries Nel

Press release : 11 May 2009

Law Society welcomes appointment of Jeff Radebe as new Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) – which represents South Africa's 18 600 attorneys – welcomes the appointment of the new Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Jeff Radebe.

'The LSSA looks forward to meeting Mr Radebe at his earliest convenience so as to bring him up to date with developments in the attorneys' profession, particularly issues of seminal importance such as the Legal Practice Bill', say LSSA Co-Chairpersons, Thoba Poyo-Dlwati and Henri van Rooyen.

The LSSA envisages working closely with the Minister in ensuring that the Bill will transform the governance and regulation of the profession by promoting, on a national basis, a unified regulatory regime for both attorneys and advocates.

'A strong, unified legal profession is imperative to protect South Africa's constitutional democracy, as well as the independence of both the judiciary and the legal profession. It is also important to promote greater access to justice for the public and access to the profession by more practitioners, particularly previously disadvantaged practitioners; and in promoting transparency so as to enhance greater public confidence in the legal profession', say the Co-Chairpersons.

Issued on behalf of the Co-Chairpersons of the Law Society of South Africa by :
Barbara Whittle
Communication Manager, Law Society of South Africa
Telephone : 012-366 8800 or 083-380 1307
E-mail :
barbara@lssa.org.za
Website: www.lssa.org.za

Changes due for criminal justice departments - 11 May
Justice and constitutional development gets a new ministerial team, as does correctional services. The renamed police ministry gets a new deputy minister. Former transport minister Jeff Radebe takes over the reins at justice from Enver Surty, who returns to being a deputy education minister. This move will dismay many in the legal community because of the difference Surty has made in efficiency and accessibility in the six months since he took over from Brigitte Mabandla. The deputy slot at justice is taken by former deputy chief whip Andries Nel . A lawyer, Nel has no experience on Parliament's justice committee or in the executive. He replaces Johnny de Lange who was charged with reviewing the criminal justice system. De Lange now has no post in the executive. -
Business Day website

Radebe in Surty se plek laat baie frons - 11 May
Die vervanging van die "bekwame" mnr Enver Surty as minister van justisie deur mnr Jeff Radebe, 'n voorste ondersteuner van pres Jacob Zuma, het die wenkbroue laat lig. Boonop hang daar 'n groot vraagteken oor die weglating van mnr Johnny de Lange, voormalige adjunkminister van justisie, en die groot dryfveer agter die hersiening van die strafregstelsel. -
Beeld website

Radebe to attend G8 Justice Ministers' conference in Italy - 28 May
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Jeff Radebe is to attend the G8 Justice and Interior Ministers' Meeting in Rome, Italy. This three-day meeting, which kicks off on Friday, will address some of the important security and immigration-related issues on the international agenda. According to the department, the first day of the meeting will focus on the struggle against transnational organised crime through a common international strategy designed to combat Mafioso assets and to counter today's "multinational crime corporations".  On Saturday, the meeting will address the issue of migration, dwelling in particular on illegal immigration, on human trafficking and on immigrants' integration with society. The last day of the meeting will be used to discuss the issue of urban security. - BuaNews Online website

KwaZulu-Natal [http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za/]

Premier : Zweli Mkhize

Mkhize elected KZN premier - 6 May
Zweli Mkhize was on Wednesday elected as the fifth KwaZulu-Natal premier since the first democratic elections in 1994. He was elected by the majority of KwaZulu-Natal's 80 member legislature at the legislature complex in Pietermaritzburg. Mkhize, the ANC's provincial chairman, trounced the Democratic Alliance's John Steenhuisen by 68 votes to seven. There were four spoilt votes and one member did not vote. The Independent Electoral Commission monitored proceedings. -
The Times website

11 May 2009
Statement by Dr Zweli Mkhize at his inauguration as the Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal
SA Government Information
website

KZN Premier announces his cabinet - 12 May
BuaNews Online website

[List of MECs]
Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development - Lydia Johnson
Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation - Gcotyelwa Weziwe Thusi
Economic Development and Tourism - Michael Mabuyakhulu
Education - Edward Senzo Mchunu
Finance - Catharina Magdalena Cronje
Health - Maxwell Sibongiseni Dlomo
Human Settlement and Public Works - Magasvarie Govender
Local Government and Traditional Affairs - Thembinkosi Willis Mchunu
Social Development - Bonginkosi Meshack Radebe
Transport Community Safety and Liaison - Bhekokwakhe Hamilton Cele

Mkhize has a dream for KZN - 12 May
Adopting the tenor of President Jacob Zuma's recent addresses, new KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize on Monday said that the province should learn from the lessons of the past and embrace a new hope for a better future by making a fresh start as one people. Speaking at his inauguration in Pietermaritzburg, Mkhize called on minority communities to interact with the government to make contributions that would shape policies to address their concerns. -
IOL website

Rajbansi : a great opportunity was missed - 12 May
Minority Front leader Amichand Rajbansi said on Monday that he harboured no bitter feelings at being left out of Premier Zweli Mkhize's new-look provincial executive council, but said the province had missed a golden opportunity of multi-party government. Rajbansi, whose party stayed away from Monday's inauguration in Pietermaritzburg, has also turned down an invitation to head the conservation and environmental portfolio committee. He said it had also been offered to his wife, Shameen, who also turned it down. -
Daily News website

Labour Department [http://www.labour.gov.za/]

Minister : Membathisi Mdladlana

Limpopo [http://www.limpopo.gov.za/]

Premier : Cassel Mathale

From being a student activist to leading the province - 4 May
The eradication of poverty and improving skills in rural Limpopo would be the top priority for the new government under the leadership of ANC provincial chairperson Cassel Mathale. This is was said by ANC provincial secretary Joe Maswanganyi during a welcoming function for Mathale as the new premier. Maswanganyi said Mathale had the daunting task of fighting poverty through the creation of jobs and improvement of skills among thousands of rural villagers in the five districts of the province. Mathale has been acting premier since Sello Moloto resigned. -
The Sowetan website

Limpopo's newly elected premier announces his Exco - 6 May
BuaNews online website

Mining Department

Minister : Susan Shabangu

SA's new Mining Minister to focus on safety - 12 May
South Africa's new Mining Minister said this week she would focus on enforcing safety measures to curb mining deaths which have hurt output and to review black economic empowerment in the industry. In her first interview since taking office, Susan Shabangu told Reuters she would also focus on issuing new mining permits to remove a backlog of applications and investigate the possibility of setting up a state mining firm.
- Creamer Media's Mining Weekly website

Mpumalanga [http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za/]

Premier : David Mabuza

11 May 2009
Inaugural address by the new premier of Mpumalanga, Mr DD Mabuza at Kanyamazane Stadium
SA Government Information
website

12 May 2009
Mpumalanga Premier, Mr DD Mabuza on the occasion of the announcement of the new Members of the Executive Council (MEC)
SA Government Information
website

Mpuma Premier announces his new cabinet - 13 May
BuaNews Online website

National Planning Commission (Minister in the Presidency)

Minister : Trevor Manuel

Trevor Manuel to head National Planning Commission - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

New planning commission to boost govt - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

Overlaps no problem : Manuel - 12 May
The minister in charge of the newly created National Planning Commission, Trevor Manuel, yesterday dismissed widespread concern that the new arrangement of economic cluster ministries was a recipe for disaster. President Jacob Zuma had made it clear that he wanted cooperative governance, Manuel said, but if conflict arose Zuma would have the final say, as he had assigned the respective ministers in the cluster. -
Business Report website
Keyphrases :
Economic Development Department
Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Department
Trade and Industry Department

Ministers in the Presidency unconstitutional? - 11 May
President Jacob Zuma has appointed two ministers  in The Presidency, but it is unclear whether the jobs they have been given might not require them to act unconstitutionally. Trevor Manual was appointed to head the National Planning Commission while Collins Shabane was appointed to oversee Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration in the Presidency. - Pierre de Vos on the
Constitutionally Speaking blog

North West [http://www.nwpg.gov.za/]

Premier : Maureen Modiselle

NW premier to be sworn in on Sunday - 6 May
The North West Provincial Legislature will swear in their new premier at a prestigious ceremony to be held at the Ga-Rona Building Precinct on Sunday. The Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) of the African National Congress in the North West has expressed confidence in Finance MEC Maureen Modiselle, who will become the province's new premier. Ms Modiselle, who served as Finance MEC since 2005, will take over from Edna Molewa, who has served the province as premier since April 2004. -
BuaNews Online website

NW elects Modiselle as new premier - 9 May
BuaNews Online website

8 May 2009
Statement by Premier Maureen Modiselle on the composition of the Executive Council (Exco)
SA Government Information website

North West Premier announces MEC's - 8 May
BuaNews Online website

NW Premier sets up inquiry into chieftainship - 12 May
The North West Premier has set up a commission of enquiry into the dispute around the chieftainship of Bahurutshe Ba Moiloa Boo Ramotshere. The inquiry, to be chaired by retired Judge Zulman Ralph, is expected to commence on 18 May and will take three months. The inquiry will be held at the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality Council Chambers in Zeerust. According to Cornelius Monama, spokesperson for the North West Provincial Government, there has been a succession dispute since the death of Kgosi Monnaamere J Godfrey Moiloa in 2006. -
BuaNews Online website

Northern Cape [http://www.northern-cape.gov.za/]

Premier : Hazel Jenkins

Jenkins elected as Northern Cape premier - 6 May
BuaNews Online website

A rocky road for Premier - 6 May
This week, Kiviet will take on her biggest task yet – leading the Eastern Cape. This is no easy task as all odds are stacked against her -
Dispatch Online website

11 May 2009
Inaugural address of the Honourable Premier, Ms Hazel Gertrude Jenkins Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, Kimberley
SA Government Information website

Northern Cape MECs announced - 12 May
BuaNews Online website

Parliament

Furore over Zuma guest list - 8 May
The Star website

Jovial mood prevails as members are sworn-in - 6 May
There's a jovial mood prevailing in Parliament, as the swearing in of 400 members by Chief Justice Pius Langa continues. Parliament's National Assembly (NA) is meeting for the first time to swear-in its new members, elect its Presiding Officers and elect the President of the Republic. -
BuaNews Online website

Zuma calls for 'greater oversight' - 6 May
Jacob Zuma has told the ANC's prospective members of Parliament that they need to exercise far stricter oversight over the executive than their predecessors. The president-in-waiting yesterday addressed the first sitting of the ruling party's parliamentary caucus since the April 22 elections, ahead of today's swearing in of 399  National Assembly members. Zuma will be among the first of 26 groups of ANC MPs - 263 in total - to pledge loyalty to the Constitution. -
The Times website

Sisulu elected as first male Speaker in Parliament - 6 May
BuaNews Online website

New NCOP members sworn in - 7 May
BuaNews Online website

Zuma announces new structure in government - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

South African rand little changed after Zuma announces Cabinet  - 11 May
South Africa's rand was little changed after South African President Jacob Zuma replaced Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, who oversaw 10 years of economic expansion through 2008, with tax chief Pravin Gordhan. Zuma's decision to appoint Gordhan is seen as a move aimed at reassuring investors the new president will stick with economic policies that fostered the longest growth period on record. -
Bloomberg website

Cabinet falls short of gender equity pledge - 11 May
Only 14 of the 36 members of President Jacob Zuma's cabinet are women, falling short of the ANC's promise of 50:50 gender equity. There are only 24 women in the 64-member national executive, which includes deputy ministers. However, this is better than Thabo Mbeki's national executive, which had 31 percent women. There were 12 women and 18 men in Mbeki's 2004 cabinet. -
IOL website

KZN men and women well represented - 11 May
Politicians from KwaZulu-Natal are well represented in South Africa's new Cabinet, with six ministers and five deputy ministers hailing from the province. -
IOL website

Six South African Indians in Zuma cabinet - 10 May
Six South Africans of Indian origin have been included in the cabinet of new President Jacob Zuma, including the much-spoken about Pravin Gordhan as finance minister and Ebrahim Patel as minister of economic affairs. The four deputy ministers are Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, deputy minister of international relations and co-operation affairs ; Roy Padayachee, public services and administration ; Enver Surtee, basic education ; and Yunus Carrim, co-operative government and traditional affairs. -
Thaindian News website

12 May 2009
Opening remarks by Speaker at Induction for Members of Parliament (MP) in the National Assembly, Cape Town
SA Government Information
website

New govt meets for first Cabinet Lekgotla - 26 May
President Jacob Zuma opened the first Cabinet Lekgotla under his administration in Pretoria earlier today. The three-day meeting brings Mr Zuma and his 34 members of Cabinet, Provincial Premiers, Directors General of national and provincial departments and leading government advisors together for the first time. The Lekgotla is expected to map out government's five-year programme of action and deliberate on the implementation of five key priorities contained in the ANC Election Manifesto. - BuaNews Online website

Parly constituting its committees - 28 May
Parliament's National Assembly is currently in the process of formally constituting its committees and electing chairpersons. The National Council of Provinces' (NCOP) committees are expected to get together early next week. "By the end of next week, they will hit the ground running", said Speaker of Parliament Max Sisulu at a press briefing in Cape Town on Thursday. - BuaNews Online website

Mbete's golden handshake - 9 May
The ANC'S national chairwoman, Baleka Mbete, has opted for a golden handshake and a guaranteed inflation-linked pension of R1.8 million a year - for the rest of her life. -
IOL website

Mbete in line for top job? - 1 June
Former deputy president and ANC national chairperson Baleka Mbete may become the head of a new policy institute to be set up by the ruling party, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has hinted. Mantashe told the Daily News that the ANC would set up the institute within the next few months. It would include a monitoring unit tasked with assessing the performance of all government ministers, including President Jacob Zuma. - IOL website

See also : Portfolios

Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration in the Presidency

Minister : Collins Chabane

Collins Chabane : Minister in the Presidency - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

Police Department (formerly Safety and Security)

Minister : Nathi Mthethwa
Deputy Minister :
Fikile Mbalula

Fikile Mbalula : Deputy Minister of Police - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

Politics

The ANC's official biography of Jacob Zuma - 5 May
Politicsweb website

Provincial finance ministries will test strength of left wing  - 5 May
The premiers of the nine provinces are gearing up to announce their cabinets in the next seven days. About 90 MECs will be selected and about 450 jobs in the regional ministries filled - but only once the ministers take office. The transfer of former National Union of Metalworkers of SA official Mike Mabuyakhulu from the housing to the finance portfolio in KwaZulu-Natal and the retention of SA Communist Party (SACP) national treasurer Phumulo Masaulle as Eastern Cape finance MEC would indicate a consolidation of influence of the ANC's left-wing allies in the provinces. -
Business Report website

Tussle in ANC over future Cabinet role for Motlanthe - 4 May
President Kgalema Motlanthe is said to be reluctant to be president-elect Jacob Zuma's deputy, although Zuma is said to want him as his number two at the Union Buildings. Presidential spokesman Thabo Masebe said it would be "improper" for Motlanthe to state publicly his preference as cabinet appointments were the "prerogative of the new president". Masebe said that Motlanthe would "accept any deployment from the ANC". This was in response to why Motlanthe could not categorically make his preference on the matter known. Should Motlanthe not return to the cabinet, Deputy President Baleka Mbete, ANC national chairwoman, is likely to replace him. -
Business Day website

Blade at the cutting edge - 3 May
Communist or careerist? The jury's still out as Blade Nzimande heads for parliament, writes S'Thembiso Msomi. Nzimande said the decision to go into parliament was taken not by him, but by the SACP's central committee. I had interviewed Nzimande three weeks earlier at one of his favourite Johannesburg hang-out spots - the Sunnyside Hotel in Parktown. The hotel was the alleged setting of the mysterious R500 000 "donation" which former unionist Willie Madisha claimed to have handed to Nzimande in black plastic bags "sometime around" 2002. The allegations were never proven and Nzimande's family is now planning to sue the former Cosatu president, who has since joined COPE. -
The Times website

Presidency

Profile of Jacob Zuma - 12 May
BuaNews Online website

Address by His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma on the occasion of his Inauguration as fourth President of the Republic of South Africa - 9 May
The Presidency website

Letter from the President - [8-14 May 2009]
ANC Today website

Hotline to Zuma - 25 May
President Jacob Zuma has promised to stop "laziness"’ in his administration by opening a toll-free hotline to the presidency that people can use to complain to him about poor service. On his first public platform since his inauguration as president, Zuma yesterday said he was bringing a new "ethos" of accountability and hard work to his administration. - The Times website

Kgalema Motlanthe to be Deputy President - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

Presidential pensions a thorny issue - 10 May
There is a problem over the question of former president Kgalema Motlanthe's pension should new President Jacob Zuma make him his deputy. Presidential pensions do not depend on the length of time served in office and apply to all ex-presidents. That's the word from the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Office Bearers. -
IOL website

President picks his advisors - 26 May
President Jacob Zuma has picked the officials who will aid and advise him in the decisions he will make during his term of office. Charles Nqakula is to be Mr Zuma's Political Adviser, Mandisi Mpahlwa was appointed as Economic Adviser, Ambassador Lindiwe Zulu will be the President's International Relations Adviser and Advocate Bonisiwe Makhene is to be the president's Legal Adviser. Ayanda Dlodlo has been appointed as Parliamentary Counsellor to the President. - BuaNews Online website

Provincial Government

Zuma's Premiers - 3 May
Provincial governance is set to undergo radical changes with the announcement of the ANC's sometimes surprising choices for premier this week. -
The Times website

Five premiers to be female
For the first time in South African political history, the majority of the premiers will be women. -
The South African website

ANC faces premier revolt - 3 May
Jacob Zuma, the ANC president, has vowed to deal with anyone "sabotaging" his four women premiers as party leaders stare down a possible provincial revolt. -
IOL website

See also : Provinces by name in South Africa

Public Enterprises Department [http://www.dpe.gov.za/home.asp]

Minister : Barbara Hogan
Deputy Minister :
Enoch Godongwana

Public Service and Administration Department [http://www.dpsa.gov.za/]

Minister : Richard Baloyi
Deputy Minister :
Roy Padayachie

Public Works Department [http://www.publicworks.gov.za/]

Minister : Geoff Doidge
Deputy Minister :
Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu

Zuma appoints first visually impaired Cabinet member - 11 May
President Jacob Zuma has been commended for appointing South Africa's first visually impaired female cabinet member. Businesswoman and motivational speaker Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu was appointed Deputy Minister of Public Works on Sunday. She is partially sighted. -
BuaNews Online website

Rural Development and Land Reform Department

Minister : Gugile Nkwinti
Deputy Minister :
Dr Joe Phaahla

Science and Technology Department [http://www.dst.gov.za/]

Minister : Naledi Pandor
Deputy Minister :
Derek Hanekom

Social Development Department [http://www.dsd.gov.za/]

Minister : Edna Molewa
Deputy Minister :
Bathabile Dlamini

Edna Molewa to head Social Development - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

Sport and Recreation Department [http://www.srsa.gov.za/]

Minister : Makhenkesi Stofile
Deputy Minister :
Gert Oosthuizen

State Security Department (formerly South African Secret Service)

Minister : Siyabonga Cwele

Intelligence dept changed to State Security - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

Tourism Department

Minister : Marthinus van Schalkwyk
Deputy Minister : Thozile Xasa

Trade and Industry Department [http://www.thedti.gov.za/]

Minister : Rob Davies
Deputy Minister :
Thandi Tobias
Deputy Minister :
Maria Ntuli

See also : South Africa. Trade and Industry

Transport Department [http://www.transport.gov.za/]

Minister : Sbusiso Joel Ndebele
Deputy Minister :
Jeremy Cronin

Water and Environmental Affairs

Minister : Buyelwa Sonjica
Deputy Minister :
Rejoice Mabhudafhasi

Western Cape [http://www.wcpp.gov.za/]

Premier : Helen Zille

Zille elected Western Cape premier - 6 May
Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille has been formally elected premier of the Western Cape today. Zille, formerly mayor of Cape Town, will lead a 22 member DA team in the legislature. The ANC has 14 seats ; the Congress of the People, the Independent Democrats and the African Christian Democratic Party share the remaining six. -
The Times website

A baptism of fire for Zille - 6 May
As Helen Zille is sworn in as the Western Cape's new premier on Wednesday, violent service delivery protests that have rocked Khayelitsha for more than week have now spread to Athlone. -
IOL website

Appointment of the Western Cape Provincial Cabinet - 8 May
Today a new cabinet for the Western Cape Provincial Government will be sworn in by Judge Yvonne Mokgoro of the Constitutional Court. -
Cape Gateway website

8 May 2009
Zille appoints Western Cape Cabinet
SA Government Information website

See also : Equality Courts

Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities Deparment

Minister : Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya

New ministry for women, children - 10 May
BuaNews Online website

New ministries up and running in November : Chabane - 21 May
Government hopes that the raft of new ministries created by President Jacob Zuma would be fully operational by November, Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said on Thursday. - Creamer Media's Engineering News website

InfoUpdate : an Information Service supplied by the KwaZulu-Natal Law Society