Presidential Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the much-criticised increase in the size of the new national executive was a result of the recent election results and the need to be inclusive.
The new cabinet will consist of 76 members, including 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers.
The GNU includes the ANC, IFP, Good Party, Inkatha Freedom Party, Patriotic Union, Azanian Pan African Congress, Freedom Front Plus, United Democratic Movement, Al-Jama'ah, Rise Mzansi and United African Change.
Ntshavheni said other factors such as the country's demographics, geographical distribution, youth and gender representation were also taken into consideration.
She was yesterday briefing the media on the new Government of National Unity in Parliament.
“Given the election results and the agreement to form a government of national unity, it is no longer possible for the president to fulfil his previous promise to reduce the number of ministries in the national executive. I say this because there have been rumors of an overgrowth of the national executive.”
Meanwhile, when announcing his new cabinet, President Cyril Ramaphosa noted that it was not realistic to reduce the number of cabinet ministries, with some ministries now having two deputy ministers.
VIDEO | Ntshavheni explains reasons for new cabinet expansion:
