24 May 2006

President Thabo Mbeki has announced some changes to South Africa's Cabinet following the death last week of Public Works Minister Stella Sigcau.

Announcing the changes in Pretoria on Monday, Mbeki reaffirmed his commitment to the role of women in South Africa's government.

Thoko Didiza will become the minister of public works, while Lulu Xingwana, who took up office as deputy minerals and energy minister in April 2004, takes over from Didiza as minister of agriculture and land affairs.

Didiza is a a 12-year veteran of agriculture and land affairs, having served as deputy minister since 1994 and minister since 1999.

Changing places
Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and Minerals and Energy Minister Lindiwe Hendricks are to swap portfolios.

Sonjica has headed water affairs and forestry since April 2004. Hendricks, a former attorney, served as minerals and energy minister since June 2005. Prior to that, she occupied the position of deputy trade and industry minister from June 1999.

There are 16 male and 12 female ministers in South Africa's new government, while 12 men and 9 women hold deputy ministerial positions.

Presidency:

• President: Thabo Mbeki
• Deputy president: Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

• Agriculture and Land Affairs: Lulu Xingwana
• Arts and Culture: Pallo Jordan
• Communications: Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri
• Correctional Services: Ngconde Balfour
• Defence: Mosiuoa Lekota
• Education: Naledi Pandor
• Environmental Affairs & Tourism: Marthinus van Schalkwyk
• Finance: Trevor Manuel
• Foreign Affairs: Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
• Health: Mantombazana Tshabalala-Msimang
• Home Affairs: Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
• Housing: Lindiwe Sisulu
• Intelligence: Ronald Kasrils
• Justice & Constitutional Development: Bridgette Mabandla
• Labour: Membathisi Mdladlana
• Minerals and Energy: Buyelwa Sonjica
• Provincial and Local Government: Sydney Mufamadi
• Public Enterprises: Alec Erwin
• Public Service & Administration: Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi
• Public Works: Thoko Didiza
• Safety and Security: Charles Nqakula
• Science and Technology: Mosibudi Mangena
• Social Development: Zola Skweyiya
• Sport and Recreation: Makhenkesi Stofile
• The Presidency: Essop Pahad
• Trade and Industry: Mandisi Mpahlwa
• Transport: Jeffrey Radebe
• Water Affairs and Forestry: Lindiwe Hendricks

• Agriculture and Land Affairs: Dirk du Toit
• Arts and Culture: Ntombazana Botha
• Communications: Radhakrishna Padayachee
• Correctional Services: Lorretta Jacobus
• Defence: Mluleki George
• Education: Enver Surty
• Environmental Affairs & Tourism: Rejoice Mabudafhasi
• Finance: Jabu Moleketi
• Foreign Affairs: Aziz Pahad
• Foreign Affairs: Sue van der Merwe
• Health: Nosizwe Madlala-Routledge
• Home Affairs: Malusi Gigaba
• Justice & Constitutional Development: Johnny de Lange
• Minerals and Energy: (to be announced)
• Provincial & Local Government: Nomatyala Hangana
• Public Works: Ntopile Kganyago
• Safety and Security: Susan Shabangu
• Science and Technology: Derek Hanekom
• Social Development: Jean Benjamin
• Sport and Recreation: Gert Oosthuizen
• Trade and Industry: Rob Davies and Elizabeth Thabethe

• Speaker: Baleka Mbete
• Deputy Speaker: Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde

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	Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (left) and Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Lindiwe Hendricks

	First row from left: Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa, Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin Second row from left: Public Works Minister Thoko Didiza, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, and Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula

	Stella Sigcau laid to rest 'Woman power for South Africa' Mbeki names new deputy 12 parties for SA's Parliament Government

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