South Africa’s new unity government under President Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in on Wednesday, the first of its kind in the country after 30 years of rule by the ANC.
Ahead of the 32 ministers — from six parties — making up the cabinet, Paul Mashatile, who has been re-appointed deputy president, was the first to take the oath during the televised ceremony in Cape Town.
On Sunday, Ramaphosa, 71, unveiled his highly anticipated coalition government, which includes the leader of the former main opposition party and sees the number of ministries rise from 30 to 32. There are also 43 deputy ministers. His African National Congress (ANC), which has governed since the advent of democracy in 1994, sought to form a government of national unity after losing its outright parliamentary majority in May 29 elections.
The historied party, which won just over 40 % in the poll, keeps 20 cabinet positions, including foreign affairs, finance, defence, justice and police. Its largest coalition partner and long-time critic, the Democratic Alliance (DA), won 21.8 % and will head six ministries, including agriculture, public works and communication.
DA leader John Steenhuisen, 48, was appointed agriculture minister.
