South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announces Paul Mashatile as the country's new vice-president

Mashatile is also deputy head of the African National Congress (ANC). He defeated South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's closest allies Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Justice Minister Ronald Lamola at an elected conference in the Nasrec district in December, as reported by Pretoria News, a partner of TV BRICS.

"I have appointed Paul Mashatile as the country's vice president, succeeding David Mabuza who has resigned," said the head of state. Five new ministers have also been appointed, and new agencies have been created: the Ministry of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and the Ministry of Electricity.

Born in 1961, Paul Mashatile was an anti-apartheid activist as a member of the South African Students' Congress and also co-founder and first president of the Alexandra Youth Congress (Gauteng province).

He held various positions in Gauteng, including head of the House of Representatives. He has also served as prime minister of Gauteng.

In February 2023, Mashatile was elected as a Member of Parliament. It was expected that he might take up the post of vice-president. David Mabuza was still in office at the time, but it was known that he intended to leave.

Ramaphosa expressed gratitude and appreciation on behalf of South Africans to Mabuza for his service to the country over the past five years.

In addition to appointing a new deputy prime minister, Ramaphosa made personnel changes, including the resignation of three ministers and the appointment of five new ones, as well as signing decrees establishing two new ministries. All these measures are aimed at sustaining the country's economic recovery.

Photo:  Pretoria News