While most of the ministers and deputy ministers were part of the executive, for young ministers like Mbalula and Gigaba, today’s ceremony was clearly a proud moment. Dlamini was first to take the oath and was immediately followed by the young Gigaba and Mbalula.

Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are changing from one department to another were not sworn in as they had already done so in their previous portfolios.

The following deputy ministers were also sworn in: Communications Obed Bapela; Social Development Maria Ntuli; Public Enterprises Benedict "Ben" Martins; Arts and Culture Dr Joseph Phaahla; Presidency: Performance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration Dina Deliwe Pule; Correctional Services Adv Ngoako Ramathlodi; Trade and Industry Elizabeth Thabethe; Economic Development Enoch Godongwana; Energy Barbara Thompson; Health Dr Gwen Ramokgopa; Higher Education Hlengiwe Mkhize; Home Affairs Fatima Chohan; Mineral Resources Godfrey Oliphant; Police Makhotso Magdeline Sotyu; International Relations and Cooperation Marius Fransman; Public Service and Administration Ayanda Dlodlo and Rural Development and Land Reform Thembelani Thulas Nxesi.

The newly appointed ministers are aware of the challenges facing their departments and are under pressure to deliver on the agreements signed by their predecessors.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has moved to clarify the confusion caused by the appointment of Marius Fransman to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation saying the department still has two Deputy Ministers as before.

Fransman replaces Sue van der Merwe and was not a third Deputy Minister in that department. – BuaNews