President Cyril Ramaphosa announces big changes to his cabinet

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced changes to his cabinet following consultation with the leadership of the Democratic Alliance.

The Democratic Alliance is the second-largest party in the Government of National Unity (GNU) and assigns ministers and deputy ministers to the cabinet.

On Tuesday, 30 June 2026, Ramaphosa announced that the changes would affect the Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, and the Environment.

It will also impact the Ministries of Trade, Industry and Competition, Electricity and Energy, Higher Education, and Water and Sanitation.

President Ramaphosa will, in line with section 91(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, appoint:

• Willem Aucamp as the Minister of Agriculture.
• David Maynier as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Furthermore, in accordance with section 93(1)(a) of the Constitution, President Ramaphosa is appointing the following Deputy Ministers:

• John Steenhuisen as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
• Alexandra Abrahams as Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy.
• Jack Bloom as Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation.
• Yusuf Cassim as Deputy Minister of Higher Education.

In the vacant Ministry of Social Development, Ramaphosa has appointed Dina Pule as the Minister of Social Development.

“President Ramaphosa wishes all the incoming Ministers and Deputy Ministers well in their roles,” the Presidency said.