Ramaphosa appoints Senzo Mchunu as Acting Agriculture Minister

President Cyril Ramaphosa has swiftly filled a crucial cabinet position by appointing Senzo Mchunu, the current Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation, as the Acting Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development.

This decision was announced in response to the recent elevation of Thoko Didiza to Speaker of the National Assembly.

Former Minister of Agriculture Didiza elected as Speaker

Thoko Didiza, a prominent member of the African National Congress (ANC), was elected as the new Speaker of the National Assembly during the first sitting of the seventh administration.

The session, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), saw Didiza receiving 284 votes, defeating the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) candidate, Veronica Mente, who secured 49 votes.

Furthermore, upon her election, Didiza pledged to uphold the rule of law and fairness in parliamentary debates. She emphasised her commitment to collaborating with all political parties to ensure the Parliament’s operations reflect the will of the South African people.

“I also commit that I will work with all the parties, led by their whips and representatives, to make sure that we conduct the business of this Parliament in a manner that indeed reflects the will of the people of South Africa,” Didiza stated.

New leadership in Parliament

Additionally, the parliamentary session also saw the election of Annelie Lotriet from the Democratic Alliance (DA) as the Deputy Speaker, who won with 273 votes. This change in leadership marks a significant moment for the National Assembly, highlighting a new direction and renewed focus on effective governance and legislative oversight.

The Presidency’s statement confirmed that Mchunu’s appointment as Acting Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development takes effect immediately.