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