07 June 2019 - For the first time, 50% cabinet ministers in South Africa are women
South Africa’s cabinet is now 50% women for the first time ever
Sean Fleming, Senior Writer, Formative Content (World Economic Forum, 04/06/2019)
For the first time in South Africa’s history, women now make up half of the government's cabinet, following changes implemented by recently-elected president Cyril Ramaphosa.
One of the women appointed to a ministerial position is the veteran opposition politician Patricia De Lille, who, after standing for the Good party in the country’s 2019 presidential elections, was named head of public works and infrastructure.
The appointment of more women, along with a number of younger politicians, has been described by the ruling African National Congress party as reflecting “a good balance of youth, gender, geographical spread and experience”.
Half of Ramaphosa's ministers are women: this is the power squad
Cebelihle Bhengu (Sunday Times, 30/05/2019)
President Cyril Ramaphosa has been praised for leading by example and implementing equality between men and women the right way after announcing on Wednesday evening that women will make up half of his executive.
From newcomer, Good leader Patricia de Lille, to the return of Thoko Didiza, here's the power squad...
Thumbs up to cabinet parity but not everything is genderised
Nomkhitha Gysman (City Press, 07/06/2019)
At last, South Africa’s cabinet has actual gender parity.
Half of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s engine of government now consists of women.
This really is a breath of fresh air – not just for South Africa, but across the region.
One hopes that this will spur on the additional six SADC countries due to hold elections this year.
Gender parity in Cabinet does not guarantee progress for women — activists
Aaisha Dadi Patel (Mail and Guardian, 30/05/2019)
In his announcement of South Africa’s national executive on Thursday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the centrality of gender parity on the national agenda. “For the first time in the history of our country, half of all ministers are women,” he said.
With women occupying 13 of the 28 ministerial posts, they form exactly 46% of those in charge of the country. Of the 38 deputy ministers, 16 are women.
According to UN Women’s statistics from November 2018, only 3 countries have 50% or more women in parliament in single or lower houses: Rwanda with 61.3%, Cuba with 53.2% and Bolivia with 53.1%.