South Africa’s Political Evolution: Ramaphosa’s Coalition Cabinet Shake-Up

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former opposition leader John Steenhuisen as minister of agriculture, bringing the Democratic Alliance and other parties into his new coalition cabinet.

Ramaphosa’s African National Congress was forced to join forces with rival parties after losing its majority for the first time in three decades in a May 29 election.

The announcement of the new cabinet of the government of national unity followed weeks of protracted and sometimes acrimonious negotiations.

Enoch Godongwana was retained as finance minister, while Ronald Lamola was appointed minister of international relations and cooperation.

Gwede Mantashe remained as mineral and petroleum resources minister, but energy was removed from his portfolio due to a prejudice in favor of coal as a source of power generation. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa will now manage energy.