Ramaphosa's 'bloated' executive due to election result - Nts
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday that President Cyril Ramaphosa's executive was unable to be downsized due to the general election outcome.
Ntshavheni addressed the media in the first briefing of the 7th administration on Thursday morning, following the swearing-in of all members of the national executive.
The new executive totals 76 members, including 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers, representing nine different political parties.
This inclusive composition integrates members from former opposition parties now assuming various portfolios within the government of national unity.
Despite criticisms of its size, Ntshavheni defended Ramaphosa's decision, stating that the election outcomes necessitated it.
"Given the electoral outcome and the agreement to form a government of national unity, it was therefore no longer possible for the president to fulfil the undertaking he had previously made to reduce the number of the portfolios in the national executive.
"In simple terms, the size of the national executive is a result of our electoral outcome with the need to be inclusive. In addition, the constitution of the National Executive had to be cognizant of other national interests, such as demographics, geographic spread, youth and gender representation," said Ntshavheni.
Ntshavheni said the Forum of South Africa Directors-General would list the government priorities based on the manifestos of all parties in the GNU.
"The adopted programme of action will be announced by the President at the Opening of Parliament on 18 July.”
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