Go to bed, South Africa: President Ramaphosa to announce his cabinet ‘later this week’

Were you preparing for President Cyril Ramaphosa to announce his cabinet in the early hours of the morning… you know, like our former President? Don’t. You’ll be waiting an awfully long time.

The Presidency on Sunday evening issued a statement clarifying that Ramaphosa will only announce his cabinet ministers “later in the week”.

“The Constitution of the Republic stipulates that the President must assume office within five days of being elected by the National Assembly — and thereafter appoint a Cabinet and assign its powers and functions,” the Presidency noted in the statement.

There have been a number of reports that the President would announce his administration on Monday. It’s not clear why there has been a delay.

Perhaps its because David Mabuza, his former deputy, did not take his oath of office in parliament. Or, perhaps its because he’s still considering which ministries to drop and which to keep.

Although the “New Dawn” is nearly upon us, some on Twitter yearn for simpler times, when the cabinet reshuffles were announced well after the sun has set.

I don’t want to lie. I miss Former President Zuma on times like this. #CabinetAnnouncement pic.twitter.com/JrwuSElOJE

— Lebo Pat Mdluli (@PatMdluli) May 26, 2019

True. President Ramaphosa takes so much time to act, but disappoint us at the end. If it was Zuma, we would’ve had Ministers yesterday afternoon. Today we might have been talking about who he will be reshuffling midnight today.

New Dawn is very slowly.#CabinetAnnouncement pic.twitter.com/JU9pA98CXo

— Lebo Pat Mdluli (@PatMdluli) May 26, 2019

It’s extremely unlikely we’ll see #CabinetReshuffle at the stroke of midnight any time soon. Well, we hope, at least.

Feature image: GovernmentZA via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)