South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered the DA six ministerial cabinet positions which include basic education, home affairs, and public works and infrastructure.
This is confirmed by DA leader John Steenhuisen in a letter addressed to Ramaphosa dated June 24. When Sunday World approached Steenhuisen’s spokesperson, Charity McCord, for comment, she said she couldn’t verify the letter since the party doesn’t know where it comes from.
Ramaphosa offered the DA cabinet ministerial positions for Home Affairs, Basic Education. and Trade, Industry. Also Competition, Public Works and Infrastructure, Communications and Digital Technologies. Lastly Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
Offered four deputy minister positions
Ramaphosa also offered the DA four deputy minister positions. These are for Finance, Energy and Electricity and Small Business Development. Also a fourth deputy minister position which is yet to be fully determined.
The letter follows a meeting Ramaphosa held on Monday. The meeting was between Ramaphosa and leaders of parties represented in the government of national unity (GNU). The agenda was regarding appointment of the new cabinet.
“Dear Mr President, thank you for your hospitality and for the constructive meeting we had today as leaders of our respective parties. I believe we are close to a historic deal to form a Cabinet and government that will work in the interests of all South Africans.
“This will enable us to get South Africa onto a new trajectory of growth, hope and opportunity. I was grateful for your explanation on how appointment procedures operate within government at senior official level.
Accepts ministries offered to the DA
“[It is] also encouraging… that we could find agreement on how to prevent deadlocks between the seven parties at a cabinet level. By utilising the mechanisms of consensus, as defined in the Statement of Intent our parties have both signed.
“I would further like to thank you for placing the offer on the table. That of the following cabinet portfolios: Home Affairs, Basic Education, Trade, Industry and Competition. Public Works and Infrastructure, Communications and Digital Technologies. Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. … As well as the following Deputy Ministries: Finance (with full cabinet committee rights). Energy and Electricity, Small Business Development, One other (to replace DTIC),” said Steenhuisen.
“However, in terms of the quality of the portfolios listed above the DA is satisfied and regards these as a serious offer. This is both in cabinet and in terms of deputy ministries.
“In order to therefore clear the final hurdle, I would like to propose the following two steps. That, in addition to the six existing cabinet portfolios which we accept, another two portfolios be allocated to the DA. Out of the options of Sports, Arts and Culture, Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform or Public Service and Administration. (We would accept the need for public sector wage negotiations to be moved from this portfolio to the Minister of Finance).
Wants two more ministries for DA
Steenhuisen said the DA has accepted the offer. However, the party wants two more ministerial positions to bring their total number of ministerial positions to eight.
He said Ramaphosa could decide whether the two ministerial positions are in Sports, Arts and Culture. Agriculture, Rural Development and Land reform or Public Service and Administration.
Steenhuisen said the DA’s deputy minister positions should be the same number as the number of ministerial positions.
He said the party accepts Ramaphosa’s rationale that the ANC should get the identified ministerial positions. Those of Minister in the Presidency, Transport and International Relations.
Options as alternatives to what DA has compromised on
“I am proposing these three options as alternatives to a Minister in the Presidency, Transport and International Relations. As I accept your rationale for assigning these to the ANC. Assigning two of these portfolios to the DA would take our quantum in Cabinet from six to eight. This would satisfy clause 16 by better reflecting the will of the people as expressed in the electoral outcome. While also taking into account the national interest. That the quantum of Deputy Ministers from the DA be similarly increased,” said Steenhuisen.
Steenhuisen said he will wait for Ramaphosa’s feedback regarding the DA’s proposal. The proposal to get two more ministerial positions.
“It is reassuring that we are now close to making the GNU a reality. And I am grateful for your support in these negotiations. I will await your considered feedback on the two proposed solutions to get us over the line,” said Steenhuisen.
