Newly appointed Defence Minister Angie Motshekga says she is the right person for the job. Motshekga, who previously headed the education department, was announced as Defence Minister when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the national executive branch of his seventh government on Sunday.
Mr Motsekga and the other Ministers and Deputy Ministers were sworn in early today.
President Cyril Ramaphosa made several surprise appointments to his executive branch, which was sworn in on Wednesday in Cape Town.
While the transfer of Ronald Lamola from the Department of Corrections to International Relations has been praised, the move of Angie Motseka to take charge of the Defence Ministry has been questioned.
With the election over, the 7th administration will begin to take control of the government in earnest.
The newly appointed executive has vowed to put and deliver on the interests of South Africans first, as has the newly appointed Minister of Defence, whose appointment has been heavily criticised.
But Motsega has pledged to defend his predecessor's policies.
“I will work with my team and address any issues or challenges because every department has challenges. Bearing in mind what my predecessor said… I come from the same department that received the handover report so I will continue with its implementation,” Motsega said.
7th Government | Angie Motseka on her plans as new Defence Minister:
But one expert isn't convinced.
“When you see someone like Angie Motshekga appointed as Defence Minister, you ask yourself whether she is fit for the position and the fact that she is being deputised by General Holomisa. Personally, if I was to appoint a minister for that department, I would appoint General Holomisa. The minister and I would have appointed anyone else as deputy minister. As for Angie Motshekga, I don't think she is fit for the position,” says political analyst Professor Bheki Mngomezulu.
But Motsega says he is more than up to the task…
“I am not a soldier. I am not going to fight. I am at the top. I am a policy maker. I work with a team of experts based on the ruling party's policies. So even in the field of education, I am not teaching. I worked at the policy level. You say you should be in the army as if you were in a classroom because I was not even in a classroom then. I really do realise that the security of the country is paramount. I have the advantage of an established system. I have the support of the presidency. As the head of the army, I have spoken to them. I feel safe and OK,” Motsega said.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development was split up, with the DA leader taking over the post and the PAC's Mzwanele Nkhontso heading the Ministry of Land Reform and Rural Development.
7th Administration | Reaction of newly appointed Minister of Land Reform, Mzwanele Nyontso:
Now that the various Ministers and Deputy Ministers have been sworn in, they will have the enormous task of ensuring that they uphold the oath of office they took to be loyal to the Republic of South Africa and to obey, respect and defend the country's Constitution.
7th Government | President Cyril Ramaphosa expresses confidence in new cabinet:
