Ntshavheni: Cabinet would be smaller had South Africans voted 1 party into power

CAPE TOWN - Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says had South Africans voted for one party into power, the Cabinet size would be much smaller.

She said President Cyril Ramaphosa had to strike a balance by appointing more members including those from the African National Congress (ANC)’s Government of National Unity (GNU) partners.

Ntshavheni, who returns as Minister in The Presidency following her swearing-in on Wednesday, said the aim was to support Ramaphosa and his Cabinet to deliver.

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Ramaphosa’s Cabinet and executive of 76 members is the country’s biggest ever with many calling it “bloated”.

The Cabinet has grown in size despite Ramaphosa promising last year that it would be smaller in size.

But Ntshavheni said voters gave Ramaphosa and the ANC little choice.

“If South Africans had given one party a mandate to govern, they would have been able to size it down. But South Africans have given all parties a mandate to govern so everyone who is willing to govern and work with others, respect constitutionalism and the rule of law must be accommodated.”

Ramaphosa said putting together the GNU was a difficult and complicated but satisfying process - adding that parties would work together.