In an effort to address the country’s long-running power crisis, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a former mayor, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, to the newly created position of electricity minister.
The new minister will face two major challenges. Power outages lasting up to 12 hours a day have been declared a national disaster by the government, and there have been allegations of high-level corruption at the state-owned energy giant Eskom.
The former CEO of the company recently told the media that senior politicians were looting the company.
Eskom is deeply in debt, nearly $24 billion (£19.9 billion).
The economy is being strangled by rolling power outages. Some believe that public outrage over the blackouts could cost the ruling ANC the election next year.
Mr. Ramaphosa also named ANC deputy head Paul Mashatile as deputy president in the cabinet changes announced on Monday evening.
Following David Mabuza’s resignation last week, the move was widely anticipated.
He also took over for the outspoken Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who had been critical of the president in recent months. Patricia de Lille, the leader of the small opposition party GOOD, took her place.
The sports, arts, and culture minister, as well as the minister in the presidency for women, youth, and people with disabilities, were also replaced.
