communications minister appointed acting president
26 September 2007

Communications Minister Dr Ivy Matsepe-Cassaburi has been appointed acting President of South Africa while President Thabo Mbeki is in New York.  The minister will be fulfilling the President’s role until Thursday when Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka returns from China.

Mr Mbeki is currently attending the 62nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and will only return on Friday.

In 2005 four ministers were sworn in to act as President when Mr Mbeki and his deputy are out of the country.

The four were Ms Matsepe-Casaburri, Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.  Both Mr Mbeki and Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka were present at the swearing in ceremony, at which the ministers read and signed an oath.

Speaking to BuaNews at that time, Minister Skweyiya said the appointment was a big honour. He joked that there would be "no reshuffling of some sort" however.  "I was only performing my duties given to me. They had to be done as it was close to elections, and for the benefit of the people of South Africa.

"I have no desire to be a President, even being the minister is too much for me. One has to ensure that the duties are done timeously, effectively and accordingly," he explained.

Health Minister Tshabalala-Msimang told BuaNews she felt "honoured and humbled" by her appointment. "I hope I shall discharge my duties according to the oath to obey, observe and uphold the country's Constitution in a manner that fits the interests of the people of South Africa,” she said at the time.

Edwin Tshivhidzo, www.buanews.co.za