Mbalula steals show

Congratulations and joy were mixed with more than a hint of nervous anticipation as six new ministers and 12 deputy ministers were sworn in at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria on Monday.

President Jacob Zuma had announced the new appointees the evening before in the biggest reshuffle of an executive since 1994.

Paul Mashatile, who was promoted to head the Arts and Culture portfolio, did not attend the ceremony as he has to be sworn in as an MP first, because the two-strong quota of cabinet members who are not MPs is already filled by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel.

Existing ministers and deputies could be seen pairing off with the new appointees in their ministries, talking business, but the seven axed ministers were absent.

Newly appointed Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula stole the show by giving an impromptu press conference, despite advice from media officers in the Presidency not to focus on “programmes” as yet.

“When I talk about recreation I am not talking Kenny Kunene style, I am talking about moving around,” he said, in reference to the much-criticised recent birthday party of the business tycoon, where sushi was served off the bodies of scantily clad women.

“Transformation is the key and the sports teams must be competitive at an international level. We need to build on the success in the recent Commonwealth Games, in partnership with the private sector.

“There is going to be a vibe, lots of movement. There is going to be fun, there is going to be unity of this rainbow nation,” he said in his trademark colourful language.

Roy Padayachie, who in an unexpected but praised move replaced Siphiwe Nyanda as Communications Minister, was one of the few new appointees who appeared to have thought through their vision.

“I feel quite privileged to have been called to serve. There are many issues (in Communications) that we will explore how to deal with in the next couple of weeks,” he said.

Intervention in the SABC board was high on the agenda in order to calm the turmoil there and to have a “functioning broadcaster”, he said.

He said he would meet with the department’s acting director-general, Harold Wesso, today to discuss pressing matters.

Newly appointed Deputy Police Minister Maggie Sotyu said she had 10 years’ experience in working with police matters as a member of the National Assembly portfolio committee on safety and security from 1994 to 1999, and chairwoman from 1999 to 2004.

Asked whether the tsotsis should fear her as much as Mbalula, who preceded her, she said: “The tsotsis are already scared of me. They have been scared for the past 10 years.”

Other new appointees were less certain of what their jobs entailed. Minister of Water Affairs Edna Molewa, who was moved from Social Development, said she needed time to get acquainted with her new portfolio. “I’m not sure what I will do, I will be an activist for now,” she joked.

New Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration Ayanda Dlodlo appeared relieved that she had not been appointed before the recent public sector strikes. The Umkontho we Sizwe veteran got a momentary shock, however, when a journalist joked that the second round of strikes was about to start.

Newly appointed Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises Ben Martins missed the beginning of the ceremony due to a delayed flight and arrived with barely five minutes to spare before he was sworn in.

Zuma had announced earlier that Martins was running late because of delays on South African Airways, but Martins, who would be dealing with the airways in his new portfolio, told journalists that British Airways had been the culprit.- Political Bureau

• New ministers sworn in