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cabinet report cards 2024latest news & developments
President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Washington DC this week on a mission few would envy: to rescue a bilateral relationship that has descended into open hostility.
 Photo: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Cyril Ramaphosa

SCORE: C+ Despite the ANC losing its majority after the 29 May elections, President Cyril Ramaphosa has kept it in power through the government of national unity (GNU) and has…

Deputy President Paul Mashatile. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Paul Mashatile

SCORE: C- Paul Mashatile has had a very Ramaphosian 2024: cautious, inoffensive and ever-present. He runs the deputy presidency much like his boss did — which can be soothing to…

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

SCORE: B Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has made notable progress in addressing power cuts and keeping load-shedding at bay for more than six months. His ability to do this was initially…

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

John Steenhuisen

SCORE: C- Taking a scythe to the department of agriculture, rural development and land reform was a clever way for President Cyril Ramaphosa to offer Democratic Alliance leader…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

Enoch Godongwana

SCORE: C- Three years into his tenure, Enoch Godongwana continues to navigate his job with a “tough love” approach, mirroring his predecessor, Tito Mboweni, an advocate of…

Fomer Justice Minister Thembi Simelane. (Photo by Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Thembi Simelane

SCORE: E The justice minister must, like Caesar’s wife, be beyond suspicion. Thembi Simelane never met that standard and her six-month tenure was remarkable only as time spent…

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Gwede Mantashe

SCORE: E When the ministry of energy was removed from his portfolio, Gwede Mantashe was quick to clarify it was not a demotion but an opportunity to elevate petroleum, which had…

Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Senzo Mchunu

SCORE: C+ Senzo Mchunu inherited a particularly problematic under-resourced police department that is still recovering from the ravages of state capture. He appears to hold a…

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. (Photo by Frennie Shivambu/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Siviwe Gwarube

SCORE: C Siviwe Gwarube has steadily made her influence felt. A major development was the signing of the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act in September,…

Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille. (Photo by Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Patricia de Lille

SCORE: A Patricia de Lille is seen as humble, accessible and responsive to concerns of the industry, which sees her as a welcome team player. She has intervened immediately when…

Velenkosini Hlabisa, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Velenkosini Hlabisa

SCORE: B Velenkosini Hlabisa quickly brought both structure and order to South Africa’s most dysfunctional tier of government, reading them the riot act over unpaid Eskom and…

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola

Ronald Lamola

SCORE: B Ronald Lamola has brought his particular blend of principle and pragmatism to foreign affairs. So far, so good. He rightly wants South Africa to stand for more on the…

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie. (Photo by Oupa Bopape/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Gayton McKenzie

SCORE: C+ It was a blessing for South Africans and foreign nationals when Gayton McKenzie was named minister of sports, arts and culture instead of home affairs. And it was…

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. (GCIS)

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

SCORE: C Khumbudzo Ntshavheni’s tenure in 2024 saw legislative advancements, including the tabling of the Public Service Amendment Bill and Public Administration Management…

Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso. (OJ Koloti/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Mzwanele Nyhontsho

SCORE: C+ One of the first actions of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania president on taking office was to drop his plan to scrap section 25 of the Constitution and to instead…

Communications Minister Solly Malatsi   (Instagram)

Solly Malatsi

SCORE: B Solly Malatsi has hit the ground running as a rookie minister — perhaps a reflection of the fact that he is one of the youngest members of cabinet at a youthful 38…

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina. (Misha Jordaan/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Pemmy Majodina

SCORE: D- Known for her flamboyant hats and headdress, Pemmy Majodina has big shoes to fill. Her predecessor, Senzo Mchunu, drew widespread praise for his tireless efforts to…

Minister of Higher Education Nobuhle Nkabane

Nobuhle Nkabane

SCORE: B- When President Cyril Ramaphosa separated science and higher education once more, Nobuhle Nkabane took on the most nebulous of public demands: rebuilding trust. South…

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande. (Photo by Frennie Shivambu/Gallo Images via Getty Images).

Blade Nzimande

SCORE: E Blade Nzimande faces allegations of bribery for the procurement of tenders at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Although the minister has refuted the…

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga. (Photo by Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Sindisiwe Chikunga

SCORE: C- Sindisiwe Chikunga has been in her post for a few months, but she was the woman in charge when the National Council of Provinces’ select committee on social services…