On Thursday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa made changes to his Cabinet.
The first of these were to separate the Ministry of Human Settlements from the Ministry of Water and Sanitation.
“At the beginning of this administration, we had brought these two portfolios together on the understanding that the provision of water is closely tied to the development of human settlements,” Ramaphosa said.
However, he said the reality was that water was far a broader issue, impacting not only on human settlements, but also on agriculture, industry, mining and environmental management.
He said: “Water is our country’s most critical natural resource. Water security is fundamental to the lives and health of our people, to the stability of our society and to the growth and sustainability of our economy,
“We have therefore decided that water and sanitation should be a separate ministry, which will enable a dedicated focus on ensuring that all South Africans have access to a secure and sustainable supply of this precious resource.”
Ramaphosa said the second change they were making was to do away way with the Ministry of State Security and place political responsibility for the State Security Agency in the Presidency.
“This is to ensure that the country’s domestic and foreign intelligence services more effectively enable the President to exercise his responsibility to safeguard the security and integrity of the nation,” he said.
With respect to ministers, the president made the following new appointments:
The Presidency reshuffles cabinet:
Communications Minister: Mr Mondli Gungubele.
Digital Technologies Minister: Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
Defence and Military Veterans Minister: Ms Thandi Modise
Finance Minister: Mr Enoch Godongwana
Health Minister: Mr Joe Phaahla
Human Settlements Minister: Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi.
Public Service and Administration Minister: Ms Ayanda Dlodlo
Small Business Development Minister: Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams
Tourism Minister: Ms Lindiwe Sisulu
Water and Sanitation Minister: Mr Senzo Mchunu
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will be deployed to a new position