South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the formation of his new cabinet, which will bring the Democratic Alliance and other parties into his new coalition government.
Ramaphosa's weakened African National Congress was forced to form alliances with opposing parties to maintain power after losing its majority for the first time in three decades in the May 29 election.
The declaration of the new cabinet of the government of national unity came after weeks of arduous and often heated talks.
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Ramaphosa maintained the ANC's Enoch Godongwana as finance minister, while Ronald Lamola was appointed minister of international relations and cooperation, succeeding Naledi Pandor. He also appointed former opposition leader John Steenhuisen as minister of agriculture.
Gwede Mantashe continued as mining and petroleum resources minister, but the president withdrew energy from his responsibility. Many people believed that the combination of mineral resources created a bias towards coal as a source of electricity generation.
Energy will now be under the purview of Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
"These men and women we have appointed to the executive ... reflect the diversity of our nation," Ramaphosa said. "In the spirit of partnership and collaboration, the incoming government will work together."
Wrangling over who gets what cabinet seat was the last barrier to setting up a government. The government now confronts the burden of revitalizing a dormant economy, mending dilapidated roads and power facilities, and generating work for one-third of South Africans.
"We look forward to being part of a new era in South Africa’s democratic journey, and to bringing real and tangible change to the millions of citizens who voted for it," Steenhuisen said in a statement following the announcement.
