We have a successor to Nelson Mandela’s successor

September 26, 2008 by Mad Without Reason ·
Filed under: Politics

Kgalema Motlanthe

Just like that, we are witnessing history in the making. The last time there was a change of presidents in South Africa, Thabo Mbeki was replacing Nelson Mandela. Now, it’s Kgalema Motlanthe replacing the former. A new chapter is being written in the history book of South Africa…

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SAPA- Newly elected South African President Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, who was sworn in yesterday, immediately announced his cabinet.

Mr Motlanthe was elected South Africa’s president yesterday, assuming what many believe will be a brief caretaker role after Mr Thabo Mbeki was ousted in a power struggle within the ruling African National Congress.

South Africa’s Parliament, which elects the president from among its members and is dominated by the ANC, elected Mr Motlanthe with 269 votes to 50 for the main opposition party’s nominee.

ANC president Mr Jacob Zuma, whose allies engineered Mr Mbeki’s ouster, watched from the public gallery. Mr Zuma was not eligible for the presidency because he is not a member of Parliament.

Mr Motlanthe is expected to step aside after elections next year, paving way for Mr Zuma.

Mr Motlanthe was sworn in shortly after the election at the presidential office in the Parliament complex.

Later he briefly addressed the House in measured tones that reflected his reputation as a cool, no-nonsense politician.

“I am deeply humbled and honoured by the faith and confidence that the members of this assembly have in me,” he said.

The festive mood at yesterday’s Parliament session and swearing-in ceremony was in marked contrast to the tumultuous week in South African politics.

ANC lawmakers sang anti-apartheid anthems and cheered when Mr Motlanthe cast his vote.

Mr Mbeki did not attend the National Assembly session and Cabinet ministers who have said they were leaving with him also were absent.

Among them were the former Deputy President, Defence Minister, Intelligence and Prisons Ministers.

Other members of Mr Mbeki’s team have said they would be willing to serve in the next administration.

On Tuesday Mr Mbeki’s office announced that 13 ministers and three deputies had resigned from the 28-member Cabinet, among them the highly respected Finance Minister, Mr Trevor Manuel.

South Africa’s stocks and currency reeled. Only later did it become clear that six of those who resigned, including Mr Manuel, had already told the ANC they were willing to serve in a new government.

Mr Motlanthe later announced his Cabinet, which retained Finance Minister Mr Manuel and Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

New ministers were Defence, Charles Nqakula; Justice and Constitutional Development: Enver Surty; Health: Barbara Hogan; Safety and Security: Nathi Mthethwa; Public Enterprises: Brigitte Mabandla; Public Works: Geoff Doidge; and Intelligence: Siyabonga Cwele;

Those who also retained their positions were: Social Development: Zola Skweyiya; Education: Naledi Pandor; Labour: Membathisi Mdladlana; Correctional Services: Ngconde Balfour; Housing: Lindiwe Sisulu; Arts and Culture: Pallo Jordan; Sport and Recreation: Makhenkesi Stofile; Environmental Affairs and Tourism: Marthinus van Schalkwyk; Water Affairs and Forestry: Lindiwe Hendricks; Minerals and Energy: Buyelwa Sonjica; and Home Affairs: Noziviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.

Motlanthe said in the interest of establishing immediate stability and certainty, he had thought it important not to delay in filling whatever vacancies might have occurred in government and confirming the Cabinet. — Sapa.

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