Zwelini Lawrence Mkhize (Zweli)

With South Africa in the third week of a lockdown that may only be lifted at the end of April and possibly not even then President Cyril Ramaphosa and Health Minister Zweli Mkhize have been riding a wave of approval with both praised for decisive leadership in handling the coronavirus outbreak (AC Vol 61 No 7 Cyril's double crisis)...

With regular briefings to the media Zikalala is taking his lead from his political mentor Zweli Mkhize with a proactive approach to dealing with the outbreak...

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize the former ANC Treasurer-General and a medical doctor has been at the forefront of the government's response since South Africa announced its first coronavirus case...

His announcement was backed up the following morning by a co-ordinated briefing by almost 20 cabinet Ministers chaired by Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu and led by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize...

The team includes Ramaphosa's Police Minister Bheki Cele Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene Justice Minister Michael Masutha Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula State Security Minister Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize...

Former Treasurer General Zweli Mkhize now heads Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs where his priority will be securing agreement on land reform with Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini...

Zweli Mkhize Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs – Many thought that Mkhize a former ANC Treasurer General and premier of KwaZulu-Natal might land the Ministry of Finance...

Government at a glance President: Cyril Ramaphosa Deputy President: David 'DD' Mabuza Minister in the Presidency: Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Minister for Women and Disability: Bathabile Dlamini Finance: Nhlanhla Nene Deputy: Mondli Gungubele Energy: Jeff Radebe State Security: Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba Public Enterprise: Pravin Gordhan Home Affairs: Malusi Gigaba DIRCO – International Relations and Cooperation: Lindiwe Sisulu Deputy: Reginah Mhaule DPW – Public Works: Thulas Nxesi Water Affairs and Sanitation: Gugile Nkwinti Transport: Blade Nzimande Sports and Recreation: Tokozile Xasa Communications: Nomvula Mokonyane Deputy: Pinky Kekana Social Development: Susan Shabangu Mineral Resources: Gwede Mantashe COGTA – Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Zweli Mkhize Science and Technology: Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane Police: Bheki Cele Higher Education: Naledi Pandor Basic Education: Angie Motshekga Defence and Military Veterans: Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula Small Business Development: Lindiwe Zulu Deputy: Cassel Mathale Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries: Senzeni Zokwana Deputy: Sfiso Buthelezi Human Settlements: Nomaindia Mfeketo Rural Development and Land Reform: Maite Nkoana-Mashabane Public Service and Administration: Ayanda Dlodlo Deputy: Chana Pilane-Majake Economic Development: Ebrahim Patel Trade and Industry: Rob Davies Tourism: Derek Hanekom Health: Aaron Motsoaledi Telecommunications: Siyabonga Cwele Labour: Mildred Oliphant Justice and Correctional Services: Tshililo Masutha ...

The appointment of former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan as Minister of Public Enterprises or Intelligence Naledi Pandor to Justice former ANC Treasurer-General Zweli Mkhize to Finance Jeff Radebe to Dirco and Bheki Cele to Police would send a strong signal that Ramaphosa is serious about fundamental change...

However if Ramaphosa decides to move Gigaba back to Home Affairs or another portfolio the finance minister's post would probably go to Zweli Mkhize the former ANC Treasurer-General or Tito Mboweni former governor of the Reserve Bank...

The latest plan includes the following changes: David Mabuza new ANC Deputy President and close Zuma/Dlamini-Zuma ally and strategist would be Deputy President in the national government; Zweli Mkhize the former ANC National Treasurer who withdrew his ANC presidential candidacy to avoid splitting the anti-Dlamini-Zuma vote would be Finance Minister; Malusi Gigaba current Finance Minister and Zuma ally would be moved sideways to his former post as Minister of Home Affairs; Jeff Radebe who also campaigned for the ANC presidency and heads the Planning Commission would be Minister for Police...

Last week President Zuma met the two leading contenders and all the others – Zweli Mkhize former ANC Treasurer Mathews Phosa the Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete and Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu – to persuade them to accept defeat and not challenge it in court or split from the party...