PRESIDENT MBEKI ANNOUNCES CABINET RESHUFFLE

UNCLAS PRETORIA 002138 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF, AF/S NSC FOR AFRICA DIRECTOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL SF SUBJECT: PRESIDENT MBEKI ANNOUNCES CABINET RESHUFFLE ¶1. (U) President Mbeki announced a minor cabinet reshuffle on May 22, following the May 7 death of Public Works Minister Stella Sigcau. Four serving ministers, all women, were appointed to new positions, and one deputy ministerial position was left vacant. ¶2. (U) Most notable was the appointment of Land and Agricultural Minister Thoko Didiza to Public Works. Didiza served in her former position for ten years. The Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lulama Xingwana, was appointed as Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs. No new appointment was made to fill the Deputy Ministerial position she left vacant. Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Buyelwa Sonjica swapped positions with Minister of Minerals and Energy Lindiwe Hendricks. Sonjica is the third Minerals and Energy Minister since Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was promoted to Deputy Minister ten months ago. ¶3. (U) The new full cabinet is as follows: President: Mr. Thabo Mbeki Deputy President: Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Ministers: Agriculture and Land Affairs: Ms. Lulu Xingwana Arts and Culture: Mr. Pallo Jordan Communications: Dr. Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri Correctional Services: Mr. Ngconde Balfour Defence: Mr. Mosiuoa Lekota Education: Ms. Naledi Pandor Environmental Affairs and Tourism: Mr. Marthinus van Scalkwyk Finance: Mr. Trevor Manuel Foreign Affairs: Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Health: Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang Home Affairs: Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula Housing: Dr. Lindiwe Sisulu Intelligence: Mr. Ronald Kasrils Justice and Consitutional Development: Ms. Bridgette Mabandla Labor: Mr. Membathisi Mdladlana Minerals and Energy: Ms. Buyelwa Sonjica Presidency: Dr. Essop Pahad Provincial and Local Government: Mr. Sydney Mufamadi Pubic Enterprises: Mr. Alec Erwin Public Service and Administration: Ms. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi Public Works: Ms. Thoko Didiza Safety and Security: Mr. Charles Nqakula Science and Technology: Mr. Mosibudi Mangena Social Development: Dr. Zola Skweyiya Sport and Recreation: Mr. Makhenkesi Stofile Trade and Industry: Mr. Mandisi Mpahlwa Transport: Mr. Jeff Radebe Water Affairs and Forestry: Ms. Lindiwe Hendricks Deputy Ministers: Agriculture and Land Affairs: Prof. Dirk du Toit Arts and Culture: Ms. Ntombazana Botha Communications: Mr. Roy Padayachie Correctional Services: Ms. Loretta Jacobus Defence: Mr. Mluleki George Education: Mr. Enver Surty Environmental Affairs and Tourism: Ms. Joyce Mabudafhasi Finance: Mr. Jabu Moleketi Foreign Affairs: Mr. Aziz Pahad Foreign Affairs: Ms. Sue van der Merwe Health: Ms. Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge Home Affairs: Mr. Malusi Gigaba Justice and Consitutional Development: Adv. Johnny de Lange Minerals and Energy: Vacant Provincial and Local Government: Ms. Nomatyala Hangana Public Works: Prof. Ntopile Kganyago Safety and Security: Ms. Susan Shabangu Science and Technology: Mr. Derek Hanekom Social Development: Ms. Jean Benjamin Sport and Recreation: Mr. Gert Oosthuizen Trade and Industry: Ms. Elizabeth Thabethe Trade and Industry: Mr. Rob Davies ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: This cabinet reshuffle appears to be mainly administrative, in response to the death of Minister Sigcau. However, the moves of Hendricks and Didiza may also be performance-based. Post will monitor political reactions to these events and follow up with further analysis where warranted. TEITELBAUM