Newly-appointed Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga, says she is equal to the task. Motshekga, who previously headed the ministry of education, was announced as the defense minister when President Cyril Ramaphosa announce the 7th Administration’s National Executive on Sunday.
Motshekga and other ministers and deputy ministers was sworn in earlier today.
There have been a few surprise appointments by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Members of his executive were sworn on Wednesday in Cape Town.
Whilst some like Ronald Lamola’s move from Correctional Services to International Relations has been lauded, eyebrows have been raised over Angie Motshekga’s taking the portfolio of defense.
Now that elections have come and gone, it’s now down to business for the 7th administration.
The newly-appointed executive has vowed to deliver and put the interests of South Africans first. Such as the newly-appointed Minister of Defence whose appointment has been heavily criticized.
Motshekga has, however, committed to championing the programmes of her predecessor.
“I will work with the team; deal with the problems and challenges if they are there. Because in every department, there will be challenges. On the basis of what my predecessor … I’m coming from the same party giving me the handover report, continue the implementation of that,” says Motshekga.
7th Administration | Angie Motshekga on her plans as the new Minister of Defence:
But one expert is not convinced.
“You look at someone like Angie Motshekga being appointed as Minister of Defense then you ask yourself, did she fit in that position and the fact that she’s deputised by General Holomisa. I, for one, if I were to appoint a minister in that department, I would have appointed General Holomisa. The minister and I would have appointed any other person to be the deputy. As for Angie Motshekga I don’t think she’s a good fit,” says Professor Bheki Mngomezulu, Political analyst.
But Motshekga says she is equal to the task…
“I’m not a soldier. I’m not going to fight. I’m the head. I’m policy. I work on the base of policies of the governing party, working with a team of experts. So, even in education, I was not teaching. I was working at policy level. To say I should be in the army, as if I was in the classroom, I was not even in the classroom then. I really have a sense of what is important, the safety of the country. I have the advantage of a well-established system. I have the support of the presidency. I’ve been talking to them as the head of the army. I feel safe and fine,” says Motshega.
In a twist of things, the Department of Agriculture and Land Reform and Rural Development has been split with the leader of the DA taking up that portfolio and the PAC’s Mzwanele Nyhontso heading the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development.
7th Administration | Mzwanele Nyhontso’s reaction after being sworn-in as Minister of Land Reform:
Now that the various ministers and deputy ministers have been sworn in, they’ll have a mammoth task of ensuring they live up to their oath of office of being faithful to the Republic of South Africa, obeying, respecting and upholding the Constitution of the country.
7th Administration | President Cyril Ramaphosa expresses confidence in the new cabinet:
