Cabinet reshuffle a missed opportunity? I am not holding my breath

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So, the long -waited cabinet reshuffle happened on Monday night. I couldn’t help thinking, “Was that it?” after all the hype of the last few weeks. To be fair the noise was largely generated by the press and analysts and not the Presidency, but still…

I don’t have a problem with any of the appointments the President made. In fact, I think most, if not all, are rather good appointments – on paper at least. 

Of course, we knew there were three vacancies that had to be filled – the Deputy President (due to David Mabuza’s retirement), Transport (on account of Fikile Mbalula going to Luthuli House) and Public Service and Administration (a long-time vacancy). His appointment of Paul Mashatile as deputy president was a foregone conclusion – so no surprises there. 

The other two vacancies were filled by the current deputy ministers in the portfolios: Noxolo Kiewiet for Public Service and Administration and Sindizwe Chilunga for Transport. This is a good idea, since, having already worked in the ministry, the ministers can hit the ground running. Also, both these (now) ministers are highly regarded. 

He also appointed Thembi Nkadimeng, the current deputy minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), in the place of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as Minister for COGTA.  

President Ramaphosa filled only three positions from outside the current cabinet and deputy ministers: Sihle Zikalala – an experienced and important role player from KZN - is going into Public Works and the two new ministries - Electricity and Planning, Monitoring and Evalution – will be filled by Sputla Ramokgopa and Maropene Ramokgopa – interesting that both are originally from the President’s home province, Limpopo. 

The rest was about moving the proverbial deck chairs.  Zizi Kodwa went to sport. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, despite voting against the party line about the Phala-Phala report, is back in her comfort zone with Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. I have to say, I find it intriguing that the President felt that he should keep her in cabinet.

More importantly, I find it rather problematic that she should feel that she could serve in Ramaphosa’s cabinet after the whole voting debacle.

Surely she should step down and retire as a matter of principle?

Patricia de Lille is another mystery to me. I have no problem with her in Tourism, but I’m puzzled as to what strategic role Ramaphosa feels she plays. It is possibly a Western Cape connection (since there is no other cabinet minister from the Western Cape), but I doubt that it will bear much fruit for the ANC if that is the motivation.  Perhaps he is starting to prepare for a coalition government and feels she might be helpful in the future.  

Mondli Gugubene and Khumbodzo Ntshaveni exchanged places, which in my view is neither here nor there. 

Three ministers were fired: Nathi Mthethwa and Maite Mashabane – neither of whom will be missed. His firing of Lindiwe Sisulu was unsurprising, yet courageous. Given her family history and still sizeable influence in the ANC, this was brave. I presume she is heading for some other position – perhaps a nice ambassadorial posting. Let’s see. 

So, like I said in the beginning I don’t have any big problems with the people appointed and I wish them well. 

However, it seems to me that Ramaphosa missed an important opportunity to revive and inspire. 

This cabinet reshuffle is probably the most important political step he will take for the next year. If these ministers do not radically speed up delivery and succeed in inspiring the country – and in particularly the traditional ANC voters, the ANC will suffer severe losses at the polls next year. 

Apart from the ANC, we as a country also need confidence again – we need to be able to trust that the ministers are energized, excited and determined to step up and make a difference. 

I don’t think this is going to happen. 

Firstly, the President himself looked and sounded uninspired. He looked (as my children would say) “so over it.” I’m not sure if he is still unwell, but his delivery sounded like someone who had seen the speech for the first time.  Yes, he said all the right words about eradicating corruption and stepping up delivery, but it sounded very unconvincing. 

Secondly, I believe he needed more new blood. Three new appointments from outside (of which two are for new portfolios), and three deputy ministers don’t cut it for me. I know that it takes time for ministers to settle into new portfolios and with the election only a year away that does not give them much time. Thus of course, the President emphasizing the need to balance skills and expertise with stability and continuity.

The problem is that stability and continuity in the current circumstances feels more like stagnation and boredom. It is hard to believe that we will see much else than same old same old, for the next 12 months. Yes, the two new ministries are important moves, but they are reactive to current crises and not pro-active or inspired. 

Surely there was more the President could have done?

For example, I would have thought that Pravin Gordhan is well ready for retirement. So, could not the President have made some inspiring choice there? The same could be said for Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and a number of other ministers, who frankly, we never hear from. 

It seems to me that the President has missed a golden and vital opportunity to not only inspire and renew, but also to start rebuilding his legacy which is in tatters at the moment.  I really hope that this cabinet will bring about some real change, but honestly, I’m not holding my breath.