Johannesburg – Business and opposition leaders in South Africa on Monday expressed concerns over President Jacob Zuma`s new cabinet.
The media have accused Zuma of bowing to pressure from labour and communist allies.
Late Sunday the re elected leader announced his 35 member cabinet which included the countrys first black finance minister in 20 years.
Former deputy head of the treasury Nhlanhla Nene, 55, replaced Pravin Gordhan, of Indian origin, who was moved to the local government portfolio.
The cabinet “does not inspire confidence that South Africa’s major challenges — weak economic growth, unemployment and corruption — will be tackled effectively,” said opposition Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille.
“The move of Pravin Gordhan from the Treasury to Co-operative Government will almost certainly have negative consequences for international investor sentiment towards South Africa,” she said.
The leading industry lobby group, Business Unity South Africa said it was “disappointed” that Gordhan had lost the finance portfolio although his successor, Nene, had “proven himself a very competent, pragmatic and consistent person”.
The appointment of trade-unionist-turned-billionaire Cyril Ramaphosa as deputy president, urging him to press for the implementation of the ANC’s National Development Plan (NDP) has been welcomed.
Former National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) president Senzeni Zokwana became agriculture and fisheries minister, while Young Communist League leader Buti Manamela was made junior minister based in the president’s office.
Comments
About Author
