Cape Town -
DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane’s shadow cabinet, or his team of spokespersons on ministerial portfolios, is a story of continuity and change.
DA MP David Maynier, who for months pursued the matter of how many charter flights former defence minister Lindiwe Sisulu took, returns to the military portfolio.
James Selfe, who also chairs the DA federal executive, remains in correctional services, and Dianne Kohler Barnard continues as the DA’s spokeswoman on police.
Former prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach is the DA’s justice spokeswoman, previously held by Dene Smuts, who has retired.
Former Eastern Cape ANC premier Nosimo Balindlela, who joined Cope before joining the DA, will shadow Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane.
The home affairs portfolio has gone to Makashule Gana, one of the three DA deputy federal chairpersons. DA federal chairman and MP Wilmot James is the spokesman on health, rather than trade and industry, which is now held by Geordin Hill-Lewis.
DA MP Dion George is back at finance. Previous incumbent Tim Harris was redeployed to the Cape Town council’s investment unit, after having been sent to the standing committee on public accounts under the DA’s previous parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko.
Sej Motau, who was moved from labour after his incomplete briefing was blamed for the DA’s flip-flop over employment equity amendment legislation last year, is now spokesman for Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe, whose previous spokesman Joe McGluwa moves to public service and administration.
DA MP and whip Ian Ollis moves from transport to labour, where his deputy is Michael Bagraim.
Denise Robinson remains the DA voice on women’s matters.
The social development and public enterprises portfolios retain Patricia Kopane and Natasha Michael.
While there are no changes in the basic education portfolio, former DA higher education spokeswoman Annelie Lotriet moves to science and technology to make way for Belinda Bozzoli, and the youngest MP, Yusuf Carrim, as deputy spokesman in higher education.
“This shadow cabinet will make pragmatic legislative proposals that will tackle South Africa’s problems head on, with a commitment to the creation of real jobs in South Africa,” Maimane said.
“The DA shadow cabinet will work to provide robust oversight of government, but will also put alternative solutions on the table.”
Interviews for the spokespersons’ jobs were conducted this week after Maimane last week announced his chief whip, John Steenhuisen, and caucus chairwoman, Anchen Dreyer.
Cape Argus