The newly-appointed Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga, expressed confidence in her ability to fulfill her new role. Motshekga, formerly the Minister of Education, was named as the defense minister when President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the National Executive for the 7th Administration on Sunday.
Motshekga, along with other ministers and deputy ministers, took the oath of office earlier today. President Cyril Ramaphosa made some unexpected appointments to his executive. The members of his cabinet were sworn in on Wednesday in Cape Town.
Ronald Lamola’s move from Correctional Services to International Relations has been praised, but there are concerns about Angie Motshekga taking over the defense portfolio. With the elections behind us, the 7th administration is now focusing on its agenda.
The newly appointed executive has pledged to prioritize the interests of South Africans, despite heavy criticism of the newly appointed Minister of Defence. Motshekga, however, has committed to advancing her predecessor’s programs.
“I will work with the team; and deal with the problems and challenges if they are there. Because in every department, there will be challenges. On the basis of what my predecessor … I’m coming from the same party giving me the handover report, continue the implementation of that,” says Motshekga.
But one expert is not convinced.
“You look at someone like Angie Motshekga being appointed as Minister of Defense then you ask yourself, did she fit in that position and the fact that she’s deputized by General Holomisa. I, for one, if I were to appoint a minister in that department, I would have appointed General Holomisa. The minister and I would have appointed any other person to be the deputy. As for Angie Motshekga, I don’t think she’s a good fit,” says Professor Bheki Mngomezulu, Political analyst.
But Motshekga says she is equal to the task…
“I’m not a soldier. I’m not going to fight. I’m the head. I’m policy. I work on the base of the policies of the governing party, working with a team of experts. So, even in education, I was not teaching. I was working at the policy level. To say I should be in the army as if I was in the classroom, I was not even in the classroom then. I really have a sense of what is important, the safety of the country. I have the advantage of a well-established system. I have the support of the presidency. I’ve been talking to them as the head of the army. I feel safe and fine,” says Motshega.
In a surprising development, the Department of Agriculture and Land Reform and Rural Development has been divided. The leader of the DA will now oversee the agriculture portfolio, while the PAC’s Mzwanele Nyhontso will lead the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development.
Now that the various ministers and deputy ministers have been sworn in, they have a big task ahead of them to ensure they fulfill their oath of office by being faithful to the Republic of South Africa, and by obeying, respecting, and upholding the Constitution of the country.
