New ministers sworn in

Jacob Zuma is sworn in at the presidential inauguration at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Saturday. Picture: Elmond Jiyane

Jacob Zuma is sworn in at the presidential inauguration at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Saturday. Picture: Elmond Jiyane

Published May 26, 2014

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Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma read out the names of his newly-appointed Cabinet on Monday before Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng swore them into office, one at a time.

He asked Mogoeng to swear them in “in order of precedence”.

Minister in the President Jeff Radebe was first, taking an affirmation, as did Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who was sworn in second.

The ministers were sworn in at the presidential guesthouse in Pretoria. Zuma announced his new Cabinet on Sunday evening.

Among the names he read on Monday were those of Home Affairs Minister Knowledge Malusi Gigaba, Sport Minister Fikile April Mbalula and Public Service and Administration Minister Ohm Collins Chabane, causing some giggles in the audience.

The biggest laugh came when Zuma read out the Public Works Minister's names, Thulas Watermaid Nxesi. Even Zuma had a smile on his face.

When Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor took her oath of office she said “no one told us to bring our glasses” as she took the page to read off.

After ministers took their oath or affirmation they shook hands with Zuma and his new deputy Cyril Ramaphosa.

The two sat on chairs on a stage.

Ramaphosa was the first to be sworn in. Before he took the oath, Zuma said: “In terms of the power invested in me... In terms of the Constitution of Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, I hereby appoint Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa as deputy president.

“I request the Chief Justice to swear him into office.”

Ramaphosa took his oath of office ending with, “so help me God”, with his hand on the Bible.

Sapa

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