The new Minister for Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, joked about life in prison at the swearing-in ceremony.
Mr McKenzie is one of 76 members of the new national executive to be sworn in in Cape Town.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo will preside over the swearing-in ceremony at the Cape Town International Conference Centre.
Mr Mackenzie, leader of the Patriotic Union, became part of the Government of National Unity following the May 29 election.
He was sentenced to prison in 1996 for armed robbery.
Zondo and McKenzie shared some fun moments.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo: “God help me.”
Gayton McKenzie: “Modimo Ntuse”
Chief Justice Zondo: “Please take a seat.”
Gayton McKenzie: “The last time I was asked by a judge to preside over a case I had been on the bench for 10 years.”
Zond: “That was long! Lol”
Meanwhile, newly appointed Minister of Correctional Services and Freedom Front Plus leader Peter Groenewald says improving South Africa's prisons is his top priority.
Gronewald says prisons should promote rehabilitation and change in inmates so they can contribute positively to society when they leave prison.
Gronewald says he wants to see effective consequence management for people who are incarcerated.
“We start with corruption. It has to be dealt with by the authorities. We have to look at rehabilitating people in the institutions. Rehabilitation has to be successful. The institutions are overcrowded and our programmes must enable people to reintegrate into society and contribute to South Africa. Part of South Africa's problem is impunity and those who break the law must be punished.”
LIVE | National Executive Inauguration: