VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSA #2138/01 1451151
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 251151Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3604
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS PRETORIA 002138 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF, AF/S 
NSC FOR AFRICA DIRECTOR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL SF
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT MBEKI ANNOUNCES CABINET RESHUFFLE 
 
¶1.  (U) President Mbeki announced a minor cabinet reshuffle 
on May 22, following the May 7 death of Public Works Minister 
Stella Sigcau.  Four serving ministers, all women, were 
appointed to new positions, and one deputy ministerial 
position was left vacant. 
 
¶2.  (U) Most notable was the appointment of Land and 
Agricultural Minister Thoko Didiza to Public Works.  Didiza 
served in her former position for ten years.  The Deputy 
Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lulama Xingwana, was 
appointed as Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs.  No 
new appointment was made to fill the Deputy Ministerial 
position she left vacant.  Minister of Water Affairs and 
Forestry Buyelwa Sonjica swapped positions with Minister of 
Minerals and Energy Lindiwe Hendricks.  Sonjica is the third 
Minerals and Energy Minister since Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was 
promoted to Deputy Minister ten months ago. 
 
¶3.  (U) The new full cabinet is as follows: 
 
President:  Mr. Thabo Mbeki 
Deputy President:  Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka 
 
Ministers: 
Agriculture and Land Affairs:  Ms. Lulu Xingwana 
Arts and Culture:  Mr. Pallo Jordan 
Communications:  Dr. Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri 
Correctional Services:  Mr. Ngconde Balfour 
Defence:  Mr. Mosiuoa Lekota 
Education:  Ms. Naledi Pandor 
Environmental Affairs and Tourism:  Mr. Marthinus van Scalkwyk 
Finance:  Mr. Trevor Manuel 
Foreign Affairs:  Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma 
Health:  Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang 
Home Affairs:  Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula 
Housing:  Dr. Lindiwe Sisulu 
Intelligence:  Mr. Ronald Kasrils 
Justice and Consitutional Development:  Ms. Bridgette Mabandla 
Labor:  Mr. Membathisi Mdladlana 
Minerals and Energy:  Ms. Buyelwa Sonjica 
Presidency:  Dr. Essop Pahad 
Provincial and Local Government:  Mr. Sydney Mufamadi 
Pubic Enterprises:  Mr. Alec Erwin 
Public Service and Administration:  Ms. Geraldine 
Fraser-Moleketi 
Public Works:  Ms. Thoko Didiza 
Safety and Security:  Mr. Charles Nqakula 
Science and Technology:  Mr. Mosibudi Mangena 
Social Development:  Dr. Zola Skweyiya 
Sport and Recreation:  Mr. Makhenkesi Stofile 
Trade and Industry:  Mr. Mandisi Mpahlwa 
Transport:  Mr. Jeff Radebe 
Water Affairs and Forestry:  Ms. Lindiwe Hendricks 
 
Deputy Ministers: 
Agriculture and Land Affairs:  Prof. Dirk du Toit 
Arts and Culture:  Ms. Ntombazana Botha 
Communications:  Mr. Roy Padayachie 
Correctional Services:  Ms. Loretta Jacobus 
Defence:  Mr. Mluleki George 
Education:  Mr. Enver Surty 
Environmental Affairs and Tourism:  Ms. Joyce Mabudafhasi 
Finance:  Mr. Jabu Moleketi 
Foreign Affairs:  Mr. Aziz Pahad 
Foreign Affairs:  Ms. Sue van der Merwe 
Health:  Ms. Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge 
Home Affairs:  Mr. Malusi Gigaba 
Justice and Consitutional Development:  Adv. Johnny de Lange 
Minerals and Energy:  Vacant 
Provincial and Local Government:  Ms. Nomatyala Hangana 
Public Works:  Prof. Ntopile Kganyago 
Safety and Security:  Ms. Susan Shabangu 
Science and Technology:  Mr. Derek Hanekom 
Social Development:  Ms. Jean Benjamin 
Sport and Recreation:  Mr. Gert Oosthuizen 
Trade and Industry:  Ms. Elizabeth Thabethe 
Trade and Industry:  Mr. Rob Davies 
 
¶4.  (SBU) COMMENT:  This cabinet reshuffle appears to be 
mainly administrative, in response to the death of Minister 
Sigcau.  However, the moves of Hendricks and Didiza may also 
be performance-based.  Post will monitor political reactions 
to these events and follow up with further analysis where 
warranted. 
 
TEITELBAUM