Willem Aucamp,the national spokesperson of the DA,is now the minister of forestry,fisheries and environment.
Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the DA’s Willie Aucamp as minister of forestry,fisheries,and environment,replacing Dion George,and Alexandra Abrahams as deputy minister of trade,industry,and competition.DA leader John Steenhuisen supported the changes,citing a need for capable individuals to strengthen governance under the GNU.Aucamp told News24 on Monday that he would accept the position if appointed by the president.President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the DA’s Willie Aucamp as minister of forestry,replacing Dion George.
The president announced changes to his executive on Wednesday evening.
News24 first reported on Friday that Aucamp was poised to be appointed to the position and that the DA had offered George to become deputy minister of trade,and competition.
However,Ramaphosa announced that he had instead appointed the DA’s Alexandra Abrahams as deputy minister of trade,and competition. This is the position previously held by Andrew Whitfield,whom the president fired following an unauthorised trip to the US.
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In a statement released on Wednesday evening,shortly after Ramaphosa’s announcement,DA leader John Steenhuisen thanked George for his service in the government of national unity (GNU).
Willie Aucamp replaces Dion George as minister of forestry,fisheries and environment.
Graphic: Sharlene Rood
Alexandra Abrahams is now deputy minister of trade,industry and competition.
Graphic: Sharlene Rood/News24
“[I] look forward to working with him in other important roles,” said Steenhuisen.
In a statement,Ramaphosa added he had removed George from his portfolio in accordance with Section 91(2) of the Constitution,and appointed Abrahams as per Section 93(1) (a) of the Constitution.
“I wish Mr Aucamp and Ms Abrahams well in their portfolios,” said the president.
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News24 reported on Friday that Steenhuisen had requested that Ramaphosa sack George and replace him with Aucamp,and had recommended Abrahams to replace Whitfield.
According to DA insiders,the proposed changes followed complaints and allegations of underperformance against George.
READ | Steenhuisen asks Ramaphosa to replace DA minister with Willie Aucamp
Ramaphosa sacked Whitfield in June. And since then,there has been speculation about who will replace him. As the portfolio belonged to the DA,according to the GNU agreement,Ramaphosa had to wait for the party to nominate a replacement.
In the Wednesday evening statement,Steenhuisen said the party had taken notice of “speculations” surrounding George’s position in the Cabinet.
Setting the record straight,Steenhuisen added that reports suggesting George had been removed from the position due to “external pressure and interests” were false.
He said:
The DA currently holds 12 positions within the national executive. It is therefore imperative that these roles are occupied by the most capable individuals our party has to offer - people who bring integrity,energy,and excellence to government. Collegiality is crucial.
“Our progress requires steadfast teamwork within and outside government as we strive to deliver better governance and improvements to people’s lives. In this mission,it is also important for every public official to work towards an agreed agenda,” added Steenhuisen.
He said it was for those reasons that he made recommendations to Ramaphosa to make changes in the DA’s national executive.
“These appointments will strengthen the DA’s contribution to the GNU and advance the urgent reform agenda our country and its people so desperately need.
“I wish Mr Aucamp and Ms Abrahams every success as they take up their new responsibilities in the executive,” added Steenhuisen.
Aucamp,who is currently the DA’s spokesperson,told News24 on Monday that he was “absolutely” ready to take on the position of minister of forestry,and environment if Ramaphosa asked him.
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