DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says the party’s new appointments to the national executive will raise the bar in government and push for practical progress.
The new appointees are expected to be sworn in at the Union Buildings on Wednesday. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a reshuffle of DA ministers on Tuesday, after Hill-Lewis had asked him two weeks earlier to make changes.
Changes Made to DA Positions
The DA currently holds six ministerial and six deputy minister posts in the national executive.
According to the report, the reshuffle affects two Cabinet posts and four deputy minister positions.
Former DA leader John Steenhuisen has been moved from Agriculture Minister to Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Willie Aucamp, who previously served as Environment Minister, will replace Steenhuisen. Former MP and Western Cape MEC David Maynier will replace Aucamp.
Hill-Lewis Says DA Wants to Show Results
Hill-Lewis said the new appointments were made to show what the DA can bring to government.
He said the new appointees would show that “DA government is better for all South Africans” and would work to grow the economy so more people can find work.
The message from Hill-Lewis is clear. The DA wants these appointments to be seen as more than political reshuffling. It wants them framed around delivery, jobs and standards in government.
Dina Pule Return Criticised
The reshuffle also saw ANC member Dina Pule return to Cabinet as Minister of Social Development.
Pule was previously fired as a minister 13 years ago. Her return has already drawn criticism from the DA.
The party said Ramaphosa appeared to have chosen the interests of the ANC Women’s League over millions of South Africans who depend on social grants.
DA Under Political Pressure
The appointments also come while the DA faces questions over lobbying involving some of its ministers by a communications firm headed by founding party leader Tony Leon.
For now, Hill-Lewis is presenting the reshuffle as a chance for the party to prove itself in government and show South Africans that its leaders can deliver.
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