The average age of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ministers is 55. It is his youngest cabinet since he became president in 2018. His previous cabinet had an average age of 60.

The government of national unity’s youngest minister is Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who is 34. Ronald Lamola, who was 35 when he was appointed in 2019, was previously the youngest-ever minister.

Of the 32 ministers:

• The youngest are from the Democratic Alliance – with four of the six DA members under 40
• Eight ministers are in their 40s
• Eight ministers are in the 50s
• 10 ministers are in their 60s
• One minister is in her 70s
• One minister’s age could not be confirmed

The median age of the current cabinet is 55, which is younger than the previous cabinet’s median age of 64. South Africa’s median age, the mid-point with half the population older or younger, is 27.8.

— 2 July, 2024