SA/Government of National Unity

SA/Government of National Unity (Government)

The Cabinet of the South African Government of National Unity (SAGNU) was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 30 June 2024.

A total of 11 political parties reached a deal to form the SAGNU after the African National Congress (ANC) party, which had ruled South Africa without a coalition for the past three decades, lost its majority in the national and provincial elections on 29 May 2024.

The 32-member SAGNU Cabinet comprises:

20 ANC posts: retaining Paul Mashatile as his deputy and keeping all the economic portfolios for the ANC President Ramaphosa also appointed 40-year-old Ronald Lamola as the new Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. A lawyer, Lamola led South Africa's opening arguments in the genocide case it brought against Israel at the International Court of Justice. He takes over from Naledi Pandor, who failed to be re-elected to parliament. Apart from backing the Palestinian cause, Naledi Pandor also strengthened South Africa's ties with the BRICS club of nations, which is seen as a rival to the West.

6 Democratic Alliance (DA) posts, including DA leader John Steenhuisen as Minister of Agriculture and five DA officials as deputy ministers, including in finance where the ANC's Enoch Godongwana - respected by both the business sector and trade unions - has remained in charge with the DA's Ashor Sarupen as one of his two deputies. The DA were given other key portfolios - including Basic Education in a nation where literacy levels are low and language policy in schools is a deeply emotive issue, Public Works and Infrastructure, and Home Affairs, which "deals with the borders and illegal African immigration into South Africa".

6 posts were given to smaller parties, two portfolios to the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The new land reform ministry was given to the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) - a former liberation movement which fought white-minority rule under the slogan "Africa for the Africans". The PAC waged its election campaign under the theme "Our Land, Our Legacy", and called for the "decolonisation and the restoration of land to its original owners". The land reform portfolio, which was previously combined with agriculture, will be held by PAC leader Mzwanele Nyhontso. Ramaphosa also gave a deputy ministerial post to the Muslim Al Jama-ah party, in a clear sign that he intends to continue backing the Palestinians over Israel, despite opposition from the DA. The Afrikaner nationalist Freedom Front Plus party was given one post.

Many thanks to our Patrons who cover ~2/3 of our hosting bill. Please join them if you can.