In the much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle on Monday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa named Dr Kgotsientso Ramakgopa as the first minister of the newly formed Ministry of Electricity. He also announced Paul Mashatile as the new deputy President after David Mabuza's resignation last week.

MINISTER OF ELECTRICITY

Kgosientso 'Sputla' Ramakgopa was a senior official in the Presidency in charge of infrastructure projects. A qualified civil engineer and a former City of Tshwane mayor, Ramakgopa's role will be to effectively oversee the electricity crisis response. Ramaphosa said that the minister will have political responsibility, authority and control over all critical aspects of the Energy Action Plan. "This will help to deal with the challenge of fragmentation of responsibility across various departments and Ministers which, while appropriate under normal circumstances, is not conducive to a crisis response,"

"The minister will be expected to facilitate the coordination of the numerous departments and entities involved in the crisis response, work with the Eskom leadership to turn around the performance of existing power stations, and accelerate the procurement of new generation capacity. Ramaphosa added that the new ministry will remain in office only for as long as it is necessary to resolve the electricity crisis.

OUSTED

 Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu was fired and will be replaced by Patricia de Lille of Good party while Zizi Kodwa takes over from Nathi Mthethwa who was responsible for Sport, Arts and Culture, and former minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane was replaced by Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as the minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in the Presidency.

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PROMOTED

 The President further announced Sindisiwe Chikunga as Transport minister, taking over from the now ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. Chikunga was a deputy minister at the same department for over ten years. Former Polokwane Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng was also promoted to Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. She was a deputy minister of the same department under Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who has since been moved to the Women, Youth and Person with Disability portfolio. Former eThekwini mayor Sihle Zikalala has been appointed Minister of Public Works. 

Ramaphosa's ally Mondli Gungubele was amongst those who were rewarded for their allegiance to him. Gungubele was appointed Minister of Communications and Technologies, the post was previously held by Khumbudzo Ntshavheni who has since been moved to the Presidency.

UNTOUCHED

A few other ministers have not been touched and remain in their posts are Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, Minister of Police Bheki Chele, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and Gwede Mantashe who is still leading the Mineral Resources and Energy department. 

DEPUTY PRESIDENT 

Ramaphosa also announced Paul Mashatile as the new Deputy President of the country after David Mabuza's resignation last week as a Member of Parliament.  Mabuza had requested to step down as the deputy president last month. Mashatile was elected as the deputy president of the ruling ANC at the party's 55th elective conference last December. He was sworn in as an MP in February.