In what was perceived as a very bizarre move by many South African citizens, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday informed the nation that he will appoint a Minister of Electricity in the Presidency, when he delivered the State of the Nation Address in Cape Town.
This new Ministry is expected to focus solely on bringing the country out of the current energy crisis.
South Africans across the various social media platforms have been questioning the wisdom of Ramaphosa, with many saying this move is further proof of how unfit he is to run the country.
Others went as far as asking what message is the president trying to convey about the current Minister of Public Enterprises as well as the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources.
According to Ramaphosa, the Minister of Public Enterprises will remain in charge of Eskom and continue to steer its restructuring and “ensure the establishment of the transmission company, oversee the implementation of the just energy transition programme, and oversee the establishment of the SOE Holding Company”.
“I will appoint a Minister of Electricity in the Presidency to assume full responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the electricity crisis response, including the work of the National Energy Crisis Committee.
“The Minister will focus full-time and work with the Eskom board and management on ending load shedding and ensuring that the Energy Action Plan is implemented without delay,” he explained.
Despite these words by the president, a great majority of South Africans were still not convinced that this was a necessary decision to be made. Below are some of the top messages people posted on social media.
If you gonna appoint Minister of Electricity what are you trying to say about Minister of energy, CEO of Eskom, Minister of SOEs? Do we have shortage of ministers or shortage of power?
Sithembiso takes us for a ride. National shutdown is indeed neededThe EFF #SONA23
— Dr _Pienaar (@UMntuNgabantu) February 9, 2023
Our minister of electricity first day on the job. pic.twitter.com/vsGUyqtM9Y
— Dumi Gwebu Edits (@dumigwebu) February 9, 2023
https://twitter.com/paul_phumlani/status/1624020865754058752
Minister of electricity reading your tweets! pic.twitter.com/uYXyAtQWg6
— FusiM (@fusiMatetelane) February 10, 2023
The Minister of Electricity on his first day of work pic.twitter.com/6iYArpu8dF
— The Kiffness (@TheKiffness) February 10, 2023
https://twitter.com/Mlu__N2/status/1623960890847420419
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