By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Office of Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Tuesday announced key appointments to ensure that he fulfils his responsibiities.
Mashatile has brought back former president Thabo Mbeki’s spokesperson, Mukoni Ratshitanga, as an adviser responsible for international relations.
Other advisors for Mashatile include Keith Khoza, who previously served as an advisor for Mashatile at Luthuli House.
Khoza will serve as a political advisor.
The long-awaited announcement came as Mashatile assumed his post as the country’s second in command at the Union Buildings, with a staff complement that will support his leadership.
The former chairperson of the Housing Development Agency, Tshilidzi Ratshitanga, will serve as the advisor for strategy and spatial transformation.
Mashatile chose to retain two advisors of his predecessor, David Mabuza. They are Madala Masuk, who will advise on service delivery, and Thulani Mdakane, who will advise on land reform and social cohesion.
Mduduzi Mbada, a former director-general at the Gauteng province, will head Mashatile’s office.
Other directors include Melene Rossouw, who will serve as the chief director of personal support and advisory services. Former journalist and editor at Independent Media, Vukani Mde, will serve as Mashatile’s spokesperson.
As leader of government business in the National Assembly, Mashatile will also support president Cyril Ramaphosa in the execution of the functions of government.
“A well-capacitated office with technical skills to achieve the objectives of government will ensure that the deputy president is able to effectively fulfil his mandate,” said Mashatile’s office.
The Deputy President’s delegations are:
• Leader of government business in the National Assembly, in terms of section 91(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa;
• Leading the government’s effort to fast-track land reform and the coordination of government programmes to accelerate land reform and agricultural support;
• Implement rapid response interventions on service delivery and trouble-shooting in service delivery hotspots;
• Assisting the president in the roll-out of the District Development Model through effective coordination of the different spheres of government, which will improve the functioning of municipalities and address community concerns;
• Leading the South African National Aids Council and the country’s integrated response to the challenges facing HIV and Aids;
• Special envoy on South Sudan and leading peace missions on the continent, as required;
• Leading the Human Resources Development Council of South Africa and fostering collaboration between the government and social partners towards addressing the shortage of skills in critical sectors of the economy;
• Promoting social cohesion initiatives, with particular focus on Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders and Military Veterans; and
• Chairing the Governance, State Capacity and Institutional Development, as well as the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cabinet Committees.