South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa Forms New Cabinet After Elections

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the formation of a new cabinet, naming 32 ministerial positions after weeks of political deadlock. This announcement comes after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994 in the May 29 elections.

The ANC, which has been a dominant force in South African politics since the end of apartheid, secured 20 of the 32 posts. The Democratic Alliance (DA) party received six seats, and the remaining positions were divided among smaller coalition parties.

President Ramaphosa emphasized that the new government will prioritize addressing issues such as poverty, poor services, and high rates of inequality and unemployment. He stated, “We have shown that there are no problems that are too difficult or too intractable that they cannot be solved through dialogue.”

DA leader John Steenhuisen, who was appointed minister of agriculture, expressed optimism about the new coalition government. He said, “We look forward to being part of a new era in South Africa’s democratic journey, and to bringing real and tangible change to the millions of citizens who voted for it.”

The formation of the new government took over a month of complex political negotiations and concessions from the ANC. The ANC managed to retain control over the ministry of trade and industry, a key portfolio that the DA also sought. ANC’s Paul Mashatile will continue as Deputy President.

The success of the coalition government will depend on how well the parties can set aside their ideological differences. The DA opposes some of the ANC’s policies, such as black empowerment programs and land expropriation.