ANC hails changes to cabinet

2005-06-22 16:57

Donwald Pressly

Cape Town - The African National Congress has welcomed the changes to the cabinet announced by President Thabo Mbeki on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Smuts Ngomyama said: "The ANC congratulates newly appointed deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

"The confidence in her abilities that has been demonstrated by this appointment is well founded."

Ngonyama said: "As a person who has dedicated her life to the struggle of the people of South Africa, she has extensive experience of the needs, problems and interests of the masses of this country.

"This experience will stand her in good stead to undertake the tasks of this new responsibility.

"The ANC extends congratulations and best wishes to those ministers and deputy ministers appointed to new responsibilities - new Minerals and Energy Minister Lindiwe Hendricks, new deputy trade and industry minister Elizabeth Thabethe and new deputy trade and industry minister Rob Davies.

"The African National Congress is confident they will discharge their duties with diligence and commitment."

The ANC pledged its full support to deputy president Mlambo-Ngcuka and to all the new appointments.

Holomisa foresees 'yorkers'

Meanwhile, United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa, while welcoming Mlambo-Ngcuka, hoped her alleged implication in the oil scandal would not prove her undoing.

He predicted she would face "some short and bouncing yorkers.

"We hope the president has satisfied himself that her involvement in the oil scandal is above board," he said.

Mlambo-Ngcuka and other ministers have been accused of alleged involvement in an oil scandal that allegedly saw Imvume petro-company funnelling million of rands of taxpayers money to the African National Congress.

It was also alleged Imvume was involved in a property development project in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park with Uluntu Investment, a company headed by Mlambo-Ngcuka's brother, Bonga Molambo.

Giving her a chance to show her mettle

The Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa) said Mlambo-Ngcuka should be given a chance to perform before any comments could be made.

The institute wished Mlambo-Ngcuka well and said she had an important and challenging job ahead.

Idasa executive director Paul Graham said: "The president has an agenda to empower women, and he has demonstrated at this every chance he gets."

Graham said the Mbeki's choice was a show of commitment to constitutionalism.

"We want to give her a chance to perform and take on her new role rather than second guessing how she's going to do," he said. - I-Net Bridge, Sapa

- I-Net Bridge (News24)