Third Cabinet of Cyril Ramaphosa

The Third Cabinet of Cyril Ramaphosa, also self-described as a "Government of National Unity", was formed following the election of Ramaphosa to a second full term as President of South Africa following the 2024 general election. His party, the African National Congress (ANC), lost its absolute majority in the parliamentary election and was reduced to a plurality in the National Assembly. Following the election, the parties engaged in negotiations on forming a coalition government. On 14 June 2024, the ANC, the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Good, agreed to form a landmark national unity government, with Cyril Ramaphosa being re-elected President of South Africa. This marks the first time the ANC has had to govern without an absolute majority since the end of apartheid in 1994.

President Ramaphosa announced his Third Cabinet on 30 June 2024.

The deputy president, and the initial set of ministers and deputy ministers were sworn in on 3 July 2024.

Background

The 2024 South African general election was held in on 29 May 2024 to elect a new National Assembly.

Support for the ruling ANC party significantly declined in the election; the ANC remained the largest party but lost the parliamentary majority that it had held since the inaugural post-apartheid election in 1994. The centrist Democratic Alliance (DA) remained in second place with a slight increase. uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a left-wing populist party founded 6 months prior to the election and led by former president Jacob Zuma, came in third place.

On 14 June 2024, the ANC, DA, IFP, and PA, agreed to form a national unity government, with Cyril Ramaphosa being re-elected President of South Africa by the 28th Parliament of South Africa.

As result of the new national unity government, key positions within the cabinet will see turnover as part of the coalition process. Ramaphosa was sworn in for a new term on 19 June 2024, and the new cabinet is expected to be announced shortly thereafter.

Other parties to join the national unity government are Good, shortly after the first sitting of parliament, the PAC on the 19th, and the FF+ on 20 June. The UDM decided to join on the 21st, Rise Mzansi (RISE) on the 22nd, and Al Jama-ah on 23 June.

Ministers

Party legend

•   African National Congress (ANC)
•   Democratic Alliance (DA)
•   Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)
•   Patriotic Alliance (PA)
•   Good (GOOD)
•   Freedom Front Plus (FF+)
•   Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC)
•   United Democratic Movement (UDM)
•   Al Jama-ah

Deputy ministers

See also

• The current cabinet, which may be amended from the above historical list over time.
• Distribution of parliamentary seats, cabinet members and deputy ministers among parties forming part of the Government of National Unity (GNU)
• Proportions and ratios of executive positions as between GNU parties
• List of National Assembly members of the 28th Parliament of South Africa

References