South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a significant expansion of the Executive branch, now comprising 77 members including the President and Deputy President. This increase reflects efforts to accommodate multiple political parties following the ANC’s failure to secure a majority in the recent elections.
In a shift from the previous administration, which had 65 members, the new coalition government includes 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers, an 18 percent increase from the last administration. This expansion has sparked debates about the efficacy and necessity of a larger Executive, with Ramaphosa acknowledging the challenges in reducing its size despite earlier commitments.
Coalition dynamics and cabinet composition
The ANC’s inability to secure a majority on May 29th necessitated alliances with a diverse array of political parties to form a National Government of Unity (GNU). The expanded cabinet now includes members from the ANC, Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Good Party, Patriotic Alliance, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), United Democratic Movement (UDM), Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi, United African Transformation (UAT), and others.
This coalition setup is intended to foster broader representation and stability. However, it has also led to criticisms about the increased size of the Executive, which some argue could result in inefficiency and higher costs.
Key appointments and political implications
Among the notable appointments, the newly created role of Minister of Electricity, introduced in the last reshuffle of the sixth administration, remains crucial as South Africa continues to grapple with energy challenges.
Several ministries now have dual deputy ministers, reflecting the need to balance representation across coalition partners. This structure aims to ensure that various political interests within the coalition are adequately represented and that policy implementation is cohesive across different sectors.
Ramaphosa’s response to criticism
President Ramaphosa has defended the expanded Executive, citing the complexities of coalition governance and the need to accommodate a wide array of political voices.
‘Reducing the size of the Executive as initially envisaged during the sixth administration has not been feasible given the need to incorporate diverse political partners,’ Ramaphosa stated. He emphasised the importance of unity and collaboration among coalition members to address South Africa’s pressing challenges.
Reaction from opposition and analysts
Opposition parties and political analysts have expressed mixed reactions to the expanded cabinet. Critics argue that a larger Executive may exacerbate bureaucracy and lead to inefficiencies. They also question the long-term sustainability of such a broad coalition, particularly in implementing consistent policies.
On the other hand, some analysts see the inclusive nature of the GNU as a positive step towards fostering political stability and addressing the fragmented political landscape post-election.
Economic and political outlook
The market’s initial reaction to the new cabinet has been cautiously optimistic, with the rand strengthening slightly against the US dollar and positive movements in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange indices.
However, the real test for the expanded Executive will be its ability to address South Africa’s ongoing economic challenges, including high unemployment rates, energy shortages, and slow economic growth. The effectiveness of the GNU in delivering on its promises and maintaining cohesion among its diverse members will be closely watched by both domestic and international stakeholders.
Future prospects
As South Africa embarks on this new phase of governance under the GNU, the focus will be on how the expanded Executive manages its internal dynamics and external challenges. The success of this coalition could set a precedent for future governance models in the country, demonstrating whether broader political inclusion can lead to effective and sustainable administration.
