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- President Cyril Ramaphosa reshuffled his Cabinet on Monday, putting an end to months of speculation.
- He appointed two women in the Presidency - Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Maropene Ramokgopa.
- The ANC Women's League hailed their appointments as progressive.
The ANC Women's League (ANCWL) believes the increase in the appointment of women in President Cyril Ramaphosa's reshuffled Cabinet is proof that "there are no echelons women do not belong in".
On Monday, Ramaphosa announced former Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, as the Minister in the Presidency.
The ANC's second deputy secretary-general, Maropene Ramokgopa, was appointed as the Minister in the Presidency in charge of monitoring, planning and evaluation.
Ramokgopa, a close Ramaphosa ally, was expected to be appointed as a minister following her swearing-in as a member of Parliament in February.
READ | Two new ministries as Ramaphosa introduces Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as the electricity minister
When she was elected at the ANC national conference in December, it was on the back of a strong push from the ANC Women's League for representation in the party's national leadership.
Her appointment as the second deputy secretary-general was explained as necessary for oversight of the monitoring of ANC deployees' performance in the government.
Ramaphosa's appointment of Ramokgopa in the planning department in the Presidency, a position he reintroduced, could explain the ANC's vision for the party and state alignment.
The ANC Women's League National Task Team said it believed the addition of more women in the Office of the Presidency was progressive.
"The reconfiguration also brings an increased representation of women in the executive, inclusive of young women. This illustrates a vote of confidence in women and their leadership capabilities. We especially commend the increased representation of women in the Presidency. It signifies that there are no echelons women do not belong in," the ANCWL said on Tuesday.
The league defined the reshuffle as a step forward in addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by the country.
The ANC also welcomed Ramaphosa's reshuffle as a step forward and hailed the appointment of Paul Mashatile as the country's deputy president.
"He is a tried and tested leader who has diligently served the people of South Africa," the party said in a statement.
READ | Ramaphosa fortifies Presidency with allies as Mashatile is named deputy president of SA
It was also pleased with the addition of two ministerial positions, despite some criticism from opposition that the Cabinet was bloated.
The party said introducing an electricity minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, was a testament to the ANC's commitment to addressing the energy crisis.
"The ANC believes that these changes affirm the resolution to advance people's lives and renew South Africa decisively," the party said.
