South Africa; opposition leader appointed as Minister of Agriculture 

On Sunday, the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced that opposition leader John Steenhuisen of the Democratic Alliance (DA) would serve as the Minister of Agriculture in his new government.

71-year-old Ramaphosa, re-elected for a second full term, will lead what his humbled African National Congress (ANC) calls a government of national unity after losing its outright majority in the May election.

“The minister of agriculture is John Steenhuisen,” Ramaphosa said from Pretoria in a televised address to the nation

Ramaphosa on Sunday announced he had awarded opposition parties in his coalition, 12 out of 32 ministries. 

The largest opposition the Democratic Alliance (DA) won six ministries including education, public works and environment, while six other posts went to smaller parties.

The African National Congress (ANC) will retain 20 ministries including key portfolios such as finance, foreign affairs, energy and defence.