Ministerial clusters reconfigured

2009-10-19 21:00

Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma on Monday announced a reshuffle in the ministerial cluster system and heads of such clusters.

The reconfiguration of the clusters was part of improving co-ordination within government and enhancing the delivery of services, the presidency said in a statement.

The infrastructure development cluster would in future be chaired by Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele with Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan as his deputy.

The ministries falling into this cluster were communications, co-operative governance and traditional affairs, economic development, energy, finance, human settlements, public enterprises, public works, the presidency, national planning commission, transport, and water and environmental affairs.

Economic cluster

The economic sectors and employment cluster would be chaired by Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti with Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor the deputy chair.

Ministries in this cluster were agriculture, forestry and fisheries, communications, economic development, finance, higher education and training, labour, mineral resources, public enterprises, rural development and land reform, science and technology, tourism, and trade and industry.

The human development cluster would be chaired by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga with Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi deputising.

Ministries here comprised arts and culture, basic education, health, higher education and training, labour, science and technology, and sport and recreation.

The social protection and community development cluster would be chaired by Social Development Minister Edna Molewa with Public Works Minister Geoff Doidge as her deputy.

Ministries in this cluster were co-operative governance and traditional affairs, environmental and water affairs, human settlements, labour, public works, rural development and land affairs, social development, transport, and women, youth, children and people with disabilities.

International cluster

The international co-operation, trade, and security cluster would be chaired by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu with International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane deputising.

Ministries in this cluster were defence and military veterans, international relations and co-operation, finance, state security, tourism, trade and industry, and water and environmental affairs.

The governance and administration cluster would be chaired by Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma with Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi deputising.

Ministries here comprised co-operative governance and traditional affairs, home affairs, justice and constitutional development, finance, public service and administration, and the presidency: performance monitoring and evaluation and administration.

The justice, crime prevention, and security cluster would be chaired by Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe with Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa as his deputy.

The ministries making up the cluster were correctional services, defence, home affairs, justice and constitutional development, police, and state security.

Integrated approach to governance

In its statement, the presidency said clusters were meant to foster an integrated approach to governance that was aimed at improving government planning, decision making, and service delivery.

The main objective was to ensure proper co-ordination of all government programmes at national and provincial levels.

The main functions of clusters were to ensure alignment of government-wide priorities, facilitate and monitor implementation of priority programmes, and provide a consultative platform on cross-cutting priorities and matters taken to Cabinet.

The clusters of the Forum of South African Directors General (Fosad) were being reconfigured accordingly to mirror the ministerial clusters.

The Fosad clusters, which were attended by directors general, provided technical support to the ministerial clusters.

- SAPA