Zuma cabinet largely bad news - Helen Zille

Zuma cabinet revamp raises more questions than answers

With few exceptions, President Jacob Zuma's new cabinet is bad news for South Africa. Although several serial under-performers of the Mbeki era have been dropped (such as Dr Manto Tshabala-Msimang, Ngconde Balfour, Mandisi Mpahlwa and Charles Nqakula) others have been retained, and in some instances moved to crucial portfolios.

In addition a host of sinecure deputy ministries have been created, more to solve the ANC's internal political problems at taxpayers' expense, than to add value to service delivery.

The President's decision to revamp the structure of cabinet also raises more questions than it provides answers. It remains to be seen whether the splitting of certain portfolios and the creation of a planning commission within the Presidency will have any positive effect on service delivery.

The cabinet has grown substantially in size, to 34 Ministers, adding a significant cost and administrative burden. Of particular importance in this regard is the creation of a National Planning Commission based in the Presidency. While the DA welcomes the appointment of Trevor Manuel as the head of the commission, we will fiercely resist any attempts by this Ministry or the newly created Cooperative Governance Ministry to undermine the constitutionally entrenched autonomy of the three spheres of government.

We will also watch two critical new appointments very closely, namely that of Ebrahim Patel as the head of the newly created Ministry of Economic Development and that of Pravin Gordhan as the new Minister of Finance. We hope that these appointments do not herald a departure from sound macro-economic policy making and implementation and that there will not be a radical overhaul of economic policy, simply to appease COSATU and the SACP. President Zuma is heavily indebted to both these organisations for his political resurrection, and the Cabinet is clearly structured to repay these debts. If President Zuma was to threaten international investor confidence to repay political debts, it would be a serious setback for South Africa's attempts to weather the global financial crisis and establish a sound basis for future investment and economic growth.

It remains to be seen how much power the new Economic Development Department is granted, and to what extent this power may infringe on the previous responsibilities of the Department of Finance. If the Department of Finance has been downgraded to the role of mere budget-making, then this move constitutes a real concern.

Of particular concern is the appointment of Angie Motshekga as Minister of Basic Education and Blade Nzimande as Minister of Higher Education. Angie Motshekga is known for her infamous statement, in defence of Julius Malema, that an education is not a necessary requirement for leadership. Blade Nzimande, as the Minister of Higher Education, is a Marxist ideologue, whose appointment raises concerns about the future of higher education in a global knowledge economy.

The DA is relieved that there is no place in the Zuma Cabinet for a number of ministers from the previous administration whose tenures were nothing short of disastrous. These include Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Ngconde Balfour, Mandisi Mpahlwa and Charles Nqakula. It is however lamentable Nosizwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been shifted to the critical portfolio of Correctional Services when her time as Minister of Home Affairs saw her lurch lethargically from one crisis to another.

Other appointments which raise alarm bells include the appointment of Susan Shabangu as the Minister of Mines, a critical industry for South Africa's long term economic growth, the shifting of the highly effective Barbara Hogan from Health to Public Enterprises in what appears to be punishment for her outspoken comments on the Dalai Lama, and the appointment of Jeff Radebe to the exceptionally important Justice Ministry.

Radebe has left a great deal of mess for his successor at the Department of Transport to deal with and it is unlikely that he will perform any better at the department of Justice. Shabangu's appointment is concerning, given her woeful tenure as Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy.

The cabinet announced today needs to be given time to properly judge its performance. The DA for its part will watch each of these ministries very closely and hold them to account for any misstep. We will do everything in our power to ensure that each new minister respects the constitution and that corruption and mismanagement is appropriately dealt with.

Statement issued by Democratic Alliance leader, Helen Zille, May 10 2009

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WAIT AND SEE FOR RESULTS! PEOPLE CAN NOT BE BAD BEFORE THEY PERFORM IN THEIR OFFICES! BETTER LENSES FROM OPPOSITION BENCHES!!! by MZONDI on May 11 2009, 02:36 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

global tends? all around the world gov are getting bigger, why not SA too ? this does however cost the taxpayers more thats my worry by brennan on May 11 2009, 07:35 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

some are a bad bunch What i find quite worrying is that there are a significant amount of cabinet that have been either found guilty and formally have a criminal record or are shrouded by past indescretions. It's all well and fine to say give people a chance, but they have . .more and shown they cannot be trusted: Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula Blade Nzimande Malusi Gigaba Enoch Godongwana Siphiwe Nyanda Bathabile Dlamini Siyabonga Cwele Angie Moshekga Sicelo Shiceka . .less by onlooker on May 11 2009, 07:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Watchdog What a pleasure and relief to have someone as competent as Helen Zille monitoring the ruling party and reporting on the situation so concisely. Let's hope the dog has teeth. by Gee Whiz on May 11 2009, 07:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

zille the moaner ....jees , i'm getting tired of Zille 's moaning! thats all she does....lets move on people. What worries me most, is that Zille seems to want a "failed" state,so she can say, " I told you so..." maybe we should actually give Mr Zuma the benefit of . .more the doubt.... he's made some excellent choices....ok, not perfect, but then clearly nor is Zille's service delivery in the western cape. so, Zille, STOP MOANING ! by the way....Zille, if you are charged with child molestation and found not guilty or there are reasons found for you not to go to trial....are you a child molester?............apparently not......according to the constitution.... . .less by super duper on May 11 2009, 08:25 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@brennan "all around the world gov are getting bigger..." A trend is just a trend - it is not necessarily correct. Trend following can get you into all sorts of trouble; the intelligent approach is to form a considered opinion on the trend, find where it . .more puts the followers at a disadvantage, and position yourself to take advantage at that point. Unfortunately for us, this takes intelligence - something severely lacking in our government. . .less by M on May 11 2009, 08:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

not you again zille sounds like the white version of malema. stop trying to be a cheerleader! get with the programme - you - hz - will be judged by what you do in kayaletsha, mitchells plain and rural karoo. by jay peg on May 11 2009, 08:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

opposition is good or our democracy will be corrupt I think it is a good idea to have a opposition watchdog otherwise we will end up like zimbabwe african leaders that become dictators and then we will become a starving nation .s.a is not only about africans there are coloreds and whites as well who are . .more born and bred here so lets give every body a chance not only anc there is also ifp who also never get recognised. so leave zille let she watch and talk for us cause we the general public cannot do that for ourselves. . .less by rossouw on May 11 2009, 08:58 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Madam Zille getting irrelevant nothing ever pleases the madam....moaning for the sake of moaning...focus on getting your province sorted. when you fail in your province you gonna blame national govt....i cant almost hear your whinging about that by gardenboy on May 11 2009, 09:13 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

We'll give the Zuma cabinet a chance but... Super duper, surely "if there are reasons found for you not to go to trial" then there is always going to be a suspicion that you are guilty. That's exactly why he should have gone to court. by The man in the street on May 11 2009, 09:19 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Glass half empty Why does Zilly always see the glass half empty. This is a difficult time for the economy and country and one I believe full of hope, as perhaps, just perhaps this government can deliver. By creating more positions and greater focus Zuma is demonstrating . .more that he is willing to break free from the approach in the past 15 years that may not have worked as well. You start to switch off to Zille's comments since always negative, and we know how that worked for Tony!! . .less by Steven on May 11 2009, 09:35 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Helen Zille @ super duper: will you please clarify your comment, or question to HZille about being a child molester? This new government more than ever before needs strong opposition and people who will be the watchdogs on our behalf, so please jay peg . .more and super duper unless you want your government to rip you off more than ever before, let HZ, Patricicial De Lille and their parties do what they are supposed to do: be watchdogs and strong opposition where necessary! But I agree with Gee Whiz, hopefully these watchdogs will have teeth too and not just bark up the tree. . .less by Sojourner on May 11 2009, 10:14 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Who will care for the Environment in the new cabinet? Ms. Sonjica from Minerals and Energy to Water and Environment in the new cabinet? Could this be to fast track all the mining plans which are environment unfriendly? Under her as Minister of Minerals and Energy the department demonstrated little concern . .more for the environment (refer 5050's recent Wakkerstroom programmes as an example). Mr. van Schalkwijk did quite well in the Environment portfolio, considering the odds he had to work against, not in the least the country's urgent economical needs. In fact he frustrated mr. Mbeki several times in the past by putting the brakes on certain developments. Until ms. Sonjica's actions are showing real and meaningful support for the environment, I remain extremely worried for our beautiful land. . .less by Greenie on May 11 2009, 10:33 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zille Easy to see that people here have been weaned from the NP days onward in effectively a one party state. They have no understanding of the critical role the opposition has to play and that criticism where warranted has to be continually given. Clearly she . .more is correct concerning some of the appointments and their risks. Shabangu for instance was an unmitigated disaster as a Deputy in that important Department. It is of course worrying that Zuma does not recognize the fact. . .less by Lookout on May 11 2009, 10:34 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Not you again Pls explain what good news would be Mrs.Zille. A whites only, male only cabinet, similar to what you've built up in your colony called the Western Cape? She has revealed her true colors, White= Competent, Black=Bad News. It has . .more become boring. To all the faithful black and coloured voters in the Western Cape who voted for the DA, are you happy with you cabinet??? I wonder... GoodLuck. . .less by Whites Only on May 11 2009, 10:38 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zille please There is something wrong with Dr Blade Nzimade says Hellen Zille who has an undergraduate degree. Does she have one? In her eyes most things are wrong before they are even tested. Gosh this woman by Gambu on May 11 2009, 10:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zille and her white male cabiniet must focus on the Western Cape It is up to them to prove that keeping apartheid style cabinters is the way to go. She can continue to make noise, but she failed to stop Zuma and now all she can do is snipe. by ThaboM on May 11 2009, 10:52 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@sojourner exactly, my friend......exactly........you were so blinded by the headline that you didn;t bother to actually read ! sound like Zille's attitude to Mr Zuma?? yes, it does! and by the way , i'm a 40 yr old white guy.........sick of Zille! . .more finally. I think Mr Zuma will probably be the best thing that ever happened to us, you know why.......beacause the likes of Zille are praying that SA goes like Zim.........go to hell I say Zille! . .less by super duper on May 11 2009, 10:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Greater ministerial specialization might be positive, but it looks the ANC is employing more ministers because they can't find any competent people, or perhaps they want to give more comrades high-paying jobs. The kind of changes that are required to end incompetence in government departments are not there. by Comrade on May 11 2009, 11:12 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Speak louder Helen 35% of South Africans did not vote for Zuma, so no way Zille should keep quiet. Someone has to speak for these people. Her comments on the new cabinet are on the money. This bunch aren't going to lead SA anywhere good. by Democrat on May 11 2009, 11:33 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Wish them well There must be some good in all,which you must acknowledge Wish them well and form judgements after 100 days by E.K. on May 11 2009, 11:48 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

No cabinet post for DA Poor DA. No Cabinet posts. Hence the noise. DA must remember that ANC with FFPlus has 2/3 majority. Tit for Tat, watch out WC provincial govt. by Zille's Sister on May 11 2009, 12:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Helen Zille Whose playing watchdog in the WP where DA rules. Cannot be judge and Jury at the same time. Funny thing, I saw a pic of HZ at Zuma's inauguration. I would have not expected it, as the DA abstained from voting him as President because of some legal . .more challenge it launched against the decision to drop charges. The DA went ballistic on the inauguration costs but guess HZ chose to take some padkos instead. HZ whining is going to make the DA irrelevent again. . .less by GK on May 11 2009, 12:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Give them hell Helen Thats the oppositions role , amongst others. Quite surprised to see that some new appointees to the cabinet DONT have criminal records (Yet?) .Mind you ANC Cadres are above RSA,s new laws . Whatever :this bunch of clowns have power so they will . .more continue heading the criminal /communist /socialist way ---They even rose and applauded that thug Mugabe at the inaugeration as well as the Michael Jackson impersonator , Madman Gaddafi (absolutely insane this one)-----our friends apparently . The future looks rosy ---full of thorns . Amandla. . .less by George on May 11 2009, 14:34 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ER.... JUST A MOMENT EVERYONE. COMRADE ZUMA HAS NOT BEEN CLEARED OF ANYTHING All that has happened is the ANC/SACP/COSATU junta leaned on another incompetent civil servant in the NPA to drop charges. Zuma is still guilty in the great scheme of things. By the way Zuma groupies, he has still to face a private prosecution by the . .more DA and the incoming UK Conservative administration who will nail his very large botty to the wall via an international arms deal case! . .less by ER on May 11 2009, 14:36 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

people, stop moaning about Zille 'moaning' She is opposition leader, that is her JOB, to keep check on what the ruling party does. Her OTHER job, and not to be confused with the first, is Premier of the Western Cape. The ANC is in opposition there, so they too can also voice their . .more concern if there is anything they don't like the look of. For example, she based her cabinet choices on competency alone - the best person for the jobs got the positions. The ANC thinks she should be politically correct and make her decisions based on skin colour or gender. They are free to voice their concern. She responded, says she believes competence at this stage is more important than political correctness ... and we all move on. It's called Democracy. Get used to it. Hopefully it will be around in SA for a while longer, as long as Zuma keeps his Commie buddies on a tight lease. . .less by Sad Days on May 11 2009, 14:47 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Another bunch of hopeless and corrupt blacks they are no different from the previous lot. Suing Zapiro has got to be the most P******* thing zuma has done. Idiot. by Yawn on May 11 2009, 15:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zille is a sick joke Give the new cabinet a fair chance to prove themselves and transform our country, the more I read this the more I realise the challenges the next generation will face, for the sake of our kids let us work together, racists included please, Australia & New . .more Zealand needs idiots like U crying about democracy. . .less by Malose on May 11 2009, 15:24 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Stop watching and commenting And start doing Have the DA nothing positive to say, this whining makes me negative to wards them by ea on May 11 2009, 15:30 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zille showing her true colours I am happy all the blacks and coloureds who voted for Zille can now see for themselves that this rightwing woman is a political clown. U get the gov that u deserve, don't moan with this rugby team cabinet ( white & grey shoes), enjoy it guys you voted . .more them, their priority will be Clifton not you in the shack, enjoy them we are back to the Apartheid era, hahahaha joke this Zille . .less by Deiza on May 11 2009, 15:38 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

DP v ANC And let the games begin by Pop Eyed on May 11 2009, 15:43 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Helen Zille HZ must not forget that western Cape is a province of SA. Not an autonomous Bantustan. If HZ had her way, Black people travelling to the Western Cape may need to apply for Visa's too. by HvanT on May 11 2009, 17:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Super Duper??? What on earth are you referring to??? What child molestation??? by Duncan on May 11 2009, 18:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Hellen Zille the moaner Stop complaining and pointing fingers Helen, I was in your administration your disregard for how you handle people`s donations are a disgrace. Before you point fingers please tell everyone where you get the money for your suave wardrobe, yes DA supporters . .more donations. I was a huge supporter and so was my family however your constant moaning has made me rethink my alliances. I hope the DA gets a new capable leader. One that does not have to depend on a all male cabinet, DISGRACE.... . .less by Joe M on May 11 2009, 22:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma cabinet largely bad news - Helen Zille To Steven, The man in the street, gardenboy, jay peg Gamba, ThaboM and all others of similar ilk...JUST WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU THINK THE ROLE OF THE OPPOSITION IS? I would be horrified if Zille agreed passively with what Zuma decrees. It is her JOB to keep . .more the ruling party on their toes so that you and I can benefit. We should treasure her and her ilk, not diss her all the time! . .less by No Mother Grundy on May 12 2009, 13:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The complaints about Helen Z A person nominated as the best mayor in the whole justly holds the moral high ground and her comments about ineffective people can be taken seriously, even if they are rather vehement (that is what oppositions do!). Clearly she has nominated a cabinet . .more that she thinks can do the job, or she would not have run the risk of the criticism she is getting. She is not stupid. The lady has bollocks and does what she thinks is best and right and to blazes with what people say about gender and anything else. My kind of person. Just watch the Cape over the next five years! . .less by Jack Sprat on May 12 2009, 20:00 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

no more talk shops Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was useless in putting the Home Affairs mess in order - what makes Zuma believe she will be any better at handling the realities of Correctional Services - unless she goes to prepare comfy places for corrupt comrades. The ANC . .more power clique needs to face up to reality. Talk shops talking about challenges etc are over. The population wants delivery on all levels - there is no money for cheap talk, wasteful spending and poor examples. . .less by reality bites on May 14 2009, 11:36 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The Downward Spiral For the most part, the typical South Africans (of all colours) deep routed "silent" racism found in these comments is the exact reason I'm relocating next month (thank god, just in time!) and it is one key reason amongst 2 handfuls of others that so many . .more others have left. This country has been in a downwards spiral for some years now already. To put it in black and white, if Hellen doesnt complain (and try to keep things on track) who the f*** else will? Its not like the ANC has EVER (other than Mandela, of course) given anyone the will to trust or believe in them. White people here are in minority and its not effective in any way if they complain - Black people are the majority but all they complain about is matters to do their own self-serving lives not for the greater good for all. Now when you have someone in power, looking to make sure things work for the greater good of ALL its suddenly a bad thing what, because the persons a white female? . .less by A Reasoning Affair on May 14 2009, 13:18 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

All about nothing politics will be politics by Herman on May 14 2009, 20:33 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

DOWNWARD SPIRAL ITS THE AFRICAN WAY , INVENTED NOTHING , GOOD FOR NOTHING BLACKS . ITS THE WAY THEY ARE , THATS WHAT THEY DO BEST . ASK A BLACK PERSON , THE WOMEN WORK IN THE BUSH WITH A BABY ON THERE BACK AND THE MEN DRINK BEER . ITS . .more THE AFRICAN WAY OF THINKING , THATS WHAT THEY ARE AND DO . IN THE FIRST WORLD THEY NEED TO THINK FROM THERE IQ 64 BRAIN CELL AND ENTER THE NEW WORLD . LIKE THESE GUYS ARE STILL IN A LOIN CLOTH WHEN THE MAN LANDED ON THE MOON . .less by PETER PERFECT on May 18 2009, 00:51 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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