When he announced his cabinet on 30 June, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that although he had hoped to reduce the number of portfolios it had not been possible as he wanted to include ‘all the parties’ in the Government of National Unity.

To do this, he has added new portfolios and new posts. The new government of 75 ministers and their deputies is the biggest since 2014, but only by three. There are now 11 parties represented in the newly formed coalition government.

Tracking cabinet size since 2004

  • Cyril Ramaphosa added seven deputy ministers to his new government
  • At 43, it is the highest number of deputies in two decades
  • Since 2004, the average size of the cabinet has been 31 ministers

Ramaphosa appointed 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers. It’s the most deputy ministers appointed in two decades and an increase of seven from 2023.

The new government of 75 ministers and their deputies is the biggest since 2014, but only by three. The second-biggest was 10 years ago under then-president Jacob Zuma when there were 72 ministers and deputies.

Since 2004, the average number of ministers in the Cabinet has been 31.

Ministers can introduce bills, make key decisions for their portfolios and are held accountable for their department’s performance. Deputy ministers assist in the work of the ministers. Unlike ministers, deputies do not form part of the Cabinet.

As of April 2024, government ministers earn an annual salary of R2.7-million. Their deputies earn R2.2-million.

South Africa v other countries

  • South Africa’s cabinet is double the size of Germany’s
  • SA has bigger cabinet but smaller population, GDP than Germany
  • China, Brazil, India have larger cabinets – and larger economies

South Africa’s cabinet with its president, deputy president and ministers is larger than the cabinets of Germany and the UK.

Both these countries have larger populations than South Africa’s 62-million. They also have larger economies: Germany has a GDP of $4.5-trillion and the UK $3.3-trillion. South Africa’s is $377.8-billion, according to World Bank data.

Three countries with bigger cabinets are South Africa’s partners in BRICS –Brazil, India and China. They have much larger economies and populations than South Africa.

In announcing his cabinet on 30 June, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that although he had hoped to reduce the number of portfolios, it had not been possible as he wanted his cabinet to include all the parties in the Government of National Unity.

These are the ANC, DA, PA, IFP, Good, PAC, FF+, UDM, Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi and the United Africans Transformation.

Younger than ever

  • Ramaphosa has appointed his youngest cabinet
  • Average age of the GNU cabinet is 55. In 2023, it was 60
  • Siviwe Gwarube is the youngest minister at 34
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.

The average age of the 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 years.