Following a week of political drama, President Cyril Ramaphosa will finally announce a new national executive this evening.
This was confirmed in a media statement that his communications team released on Sunday afternoon.
“The announcement – which will be in the form of a televised address to the nation – follows the inauguration of President Ramaphosa on Wednesday, 19 June 2024, which in turn followed the President’s election by the National Assembly on Friday, 14 June,” said Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, in the media statement.
Seventh administration
“The new National Executive will constitute the 7th Democratic Administration as a Government of National Unity comprising a diversity of political parties as an outcome of the national and provincial elections held on Wednesday, 29 May 2024.
The SABC will provide a content feed to all media and PresidencyZA will also live stream the proceedings. The announcement is scheduled to take place at 21h00.
Experts concerned
The announcement comes as experts have expressed deep concerns after it emerged that Ramaphosa was likely to appoint DA officials in ministries that have been key in driving economic transformation.
Economists Duma Gqubule and Mandla Maleka and former public protector Thuli Madonsela were worried this week. This comes after rumours that the DA would get a ministerial position for Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC). The party would also get the Deputy Minister of Finance position. He is the default chairperson of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC).
This would be part of the national government of national unity (GNU) cabinet.
The concerns come after DA leader John Steenhuisen confirmed in a letter addressed to Ramaphosa dated June 24. In it, he said that the party was offered crucial economic transformation cluster ministerial positions.
“I am puzzled by GNU rumours alleging that the DA is demanding the Department of Trade and Industry. This despite …its known position of rejecting positive measures to redress race-based economic disparities. And done to achieve substantive equality at all levels of the economy,” said Madonsela.
