South African President Ramaphosa announces cabinet including opposition

After losing its majority for the first time in three decades in the May 29 election, Ramaphosa's African National Congress (ANC) was forced to form an alliance with rival parties to maintain power.

The announcement of the government 's new cabinet comes after weeks of lengthy and sometimes acrimonious negotiations.

President Ramaphosa retained ANC Member of Parliament Enoch Godongwana as Finance Minister, while Ronald Lamola was appointed Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, replacing Naledi Pandor.

Gwede Mantashe will remain as Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, but the President has removed energy from his portfolio. Many believe that the combination of mineral resources is biased in favour of coal as a source of electricity. Energy will now be under the portfolio of Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

“The men and women we have appointed to our executive positions… reflect the diversity of our nation,” President Ramaphosa said. “The next government will work together in a spirit of partnership.”

“We look forward to being part of a new era in South Africa’s democratic journey and bringing real and tangible change to the millions of citizens who voted for this country,” Mr Steenhuisen said.

"This is a major reshuffle with very few old faces still there, which is a good thing. I think it's a very positive step that they can actually get this done," said political analyst and former South African diplomat Melanie Verwoerd.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters)