This has been on the cards for some time. It’s hard to know where to start. Failures of governance have been exposed tremendously by the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Corruption, incompetence, and even over-zealous behaviour has plagued the ANC’s top brass over the past 18 months or so. It was no surprise to see Zweli Mkhize jump before he was pushed, either. Several reports confirmed that the health minister tendered his resignation, just before the presidency confirmed an address to the nation would take place.

Cyril Ramaphosa has, somewhat disputedly, claimed that South Africa fell victim to an attempted insurrection last month, as riots and violence spread like wildfire across KZN and Gauteng. This has proved to be the catalyst for the president, who was faced with the daunting reality of just how equipped his team was for a crisis. That doesn’t make Cyril blameless, however far from it. His leadership has been questioned since he swept home to a General Election victory in 2019. Little has changed for the country since he was elected on a ticket of anti-corruption and good governance.

The fact he has been forced into these decisions now actually speaks volumes. Before the unrest, Ramaphosa was besieged by economic and medical turmoil. SA has struggled to keep the lights on throughout 2021, and the less said about the early attempts to start the vaccine rollout, the better. The 68-year-old is also fighting factional battles within the ANC and a Cabinet reshuffle may not solve all of his problems. Especially considering that "most" of his ministers have simply been moved to different departments.

• Minister in the Presidency: OUT – VACANT | IN – Mondli Gungubele
• Health Minister: OUT – Zweli Mkhize | IN – Joe Phaahla
• Finance Minister: OUT – Tito Mboweni | IN – Enoch Godongwana
• Digital Communications Minister: OUT – Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams | IN – Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
• Defence Minister: OUT – Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula | IN – Thandi Modise
• Human Settlements Minister: OUT – NEW DEPARTMENT | IN – Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane
• Public Services Minister: OUT – Senzo Mchunu | IN – Ayanda Dlodlo
• Tourism Minister: OUT – Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane | IN – Lindiwe Sisulu
• Water and Sanitation Minister: OUT – NEW DEPARTMENT | IN – Senzo Mchunu
• Small Business Development Minister: OUT – Khumbudzo Ntshavheni | IN – Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams

Zweli Mkhize, Tito Mboweni, and Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula have all left their positions, and WILL NOT be redeployed.