Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams heads merger

Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has been announced as the new Minister of Communications and Telecommunications and Postal Services.

This was announced on Thursday by President Cyril Ramaphosa who made changes to his National Executive.

The changes are as a result of  the death of the late Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and the resignation of the former Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba.

President Ramaphosa said the decision to merge the telecommunication and communication department was for better alignment on matters of the economy particularly in the fourth industrial revolution.

“The two departments will report to the new ministry [headed by Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams]. They will remain separate departments till the fifth administration,” said President Ramaphosa.

Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams is no stranger to the communications space. Prior to being appointed in the position she was the Deputy Minister of Telecommunications.

She has also served as the Deputy Minister of Communications and was a member of Parliament since 2009.

In 2011, she was the youngest minister in at the age of 34.

The President said in making these changes he remained determined that the Cabinet of South Africa will have an appropriate mix of experience capability as well as gender and a generational mix.

“I am mindful to have a Cabinet that is able to effectively lead the growth renewal effort and the transformation effort.”

Former Minister of Telecommunications minister Dr Siyabonga Cwele was appointed Minister of Home Affairs.

Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has been moved from Department of Communications to Environment Affairs.