Deputy President Paul Mashatile was sworn in as the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa on 7 March 2023. Following that, a transitional period took place involving a handover process, particularly on the delegated responsibilities that the Deputy President would inherit from his predecessor as delegated by the President.

The delegations are:

•  Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, in terms of section 91(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

•  Leading Government effort to fast-track land reform and the coordination of Government programmes to accelerate land reform and agricultural support

•  Implement rapid response interventions on service delivery and trouble-shooting in service delivery hotspots

•  Assisting the President in the roll-out of the District Development Model through effective coordination of the different spheres of government, which will improve the functioning of municipalities and address community concerns

•  Leading the South African National AIDS Council and the country’s integrated response to the challenges facing HIV and AIDS

•  Special envoy on South Sudan and leading peace missions on the continent as required.

•  Leading the Human Resources Development Council of South Africa and fostering collaboration between government and social partners towards addressing the shortage of skills in critical sectors of the economy.

•  Promoting social cohesion initiatives with particular focus on Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, as well as Military Veterans.

•  Chairing the Governance, state capacity, and Institutional development as well as the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cabinet Committees

To achieve these objectives, the Office of the Deputy President supports the Deputy President in his Constitutional responsibility of assisting the President in the execution of the functions of Government. A well-capacitated office with technical skills to achieve the objectives of Government will ensure that the Deputy President is able to effectively fulfil his mandate.

To this end, the Office of the Deputy President wishes to announce key appointments as such:

In terms of the administration of the Office of the Deputy President, Mr Mduduzi Mbada, former Acting Director-General at the Gauteng Provincial Government, will Head the Office of the Deputy President supported by Chief Directors, Ms Melene Rossouw: Personal Support and Advisory Services, Mr Vukani Mde: Spokesperson and Communication, and Ms Lerato Ntsangani: Strategy and Special Projects as retained.

Further, the following individuals will form the advisory team of the Deputy President:

•  Mr Keith Khoza, former Head of Communication in the African National Congress as Political Advisor

•  Mr Mukoni Ratshitanga, former Presidential Spokesperson as International Relations Advisor

•  Dr Tshilidzi Ratshitanga, Specialist on cities and former government Communicator as Strategy and Spatial Transformation Advisor

Deputy President Mashatile has retained two advisors who were advising former Deputy President David Mabuza, namely; Mr Madala Masuku, who will advise the Deputy President on Service Delivery and District Development Model, and Mr Thulani Mdakane, who will advise on Land Reform and Social Cohesion.

All appointments are subject to Public Service and Administration processes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.