“We welcome and support the President’s inclusion and vivid expression of youth as part of the Ministry of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities. It is our view that this will enable better management of youth development affairs across society,” NYDA chair Sifiso Mtsweni said on Friday.

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The Cabinet, which was announced on Wednesday, saw the number of ministries trimmed down from 36 to 28. Half of the appointed team is women, and it includes NYDA Executive Deputy Chairperson Bavelile Hlongwa.

Hlongwa was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy.

Mtsweni said Hlongwa’s appointment is a vote of confidence on the NYDA and the work done by the board of directors.

“The appointment of younger Ministers and Deputy Ministers is a sign of a responsive government to the call made by the agency to have youth at the helm of decision-making structures.”

Several ministries were merged and some were given extended arms, such as the Department of Labour, which has been extended to also include Employment.

“To us, the Ministry of Employment and Labour will give the necessary impetus to the fight against high rates of unemployment, in particular when it comes to the youth, unemployed graduates and in general.

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“We are hopeful that the ministry will take to task both the public and private sectors on job creation, retention and the employment of a youthful workforce,” said Mtsweni.

The Department of Transport has welcomed the appointment of Fikile Mbalula and Dikeledi Magadzi as the Minister and Deputy Minister of Transport respectively.

The department said they are looking forward to working together with the two political principals, who have a wealth of experience in government.

Meanwhile, the African National Congress (ANC) in Mpumalanga Province, has welcomed the newly appointed cabinet with glee and a great sense of optimism.

“We are of the view that the team of men and women appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to lead the agenda of growth and renewal is the best mixture of talent, skills, experience and generations,” said Sasekani Manzini ANC provincial spokesperson.

Manzini said the party was particularly pleased, with the appointment of new and younger faces into the cabinet, and hope that they will inject new ideas and energy, to expedite the pace at which the government delivers services to the people.

“We send our well wishes to the newly appointed Deputy President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, especially those whose ANC membership resides in the province of Mpumalanga, like Cde David Mabuza, Cde Ronald Lamola, Cde Dr Reginah Mhaule, Cde Jackson Mthembu, Cde Fish Mahlalela, Cde Thabang Makwetla, Cde Candith Mashego, Cde David Mahlobo, and Cde Sindy Chikunga,” said Manzini.