THE Democratic Alliance (DA) has shuffled its so-called "shadow cabinet" moving its fiery defence spokesman David Maynier to take the helm at the key finance portfolio.
Mr Maynier has been a significant thorn in the side of Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula for the past five years, demanding answers on the state of the South African National Defence Force.
Given his track record perhaps the only person not happy with the promotion will be Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.
Just as the finance minister is a very senior post in South Africa’s Cabinet, the opposition finance spokesman, or shadow minister, is an indication of the importance and standing of the MP. The assumption behind a shadow cabinet is that should the opposition win an election then it would have a cabinet in waiting.
DA chief whip John Steenhuisen said party leader Mmusi Maimane had thought very carefully about the reshuffle and putting the issues of the economy and jobs at the head of the parliamentary debate.
In other moves Sejamothopo Motau becomes the spokesman on the Presidency with Phumzile Van Damme as deputy spokeswoman.
Kobus Marais takes over from Mr Maynier at defence and Shahied Esau will be the deputy.
Michael Cardo, who was spokesman for co-operative government and traditional affairs moves to economic development with Patrick Atkinson as deputy.
Alf Lees will be deputy spokesman to Mr Maynier at finance.
The DA spokesman for the standing committee on public accounts will be David Ross with Tim Brauteseth as the deputy.
Mr Maynier replaces Dion George as the finance spokesman for the party. Mr George is on a sabbatical away from Parliament.
David Maynier. Picture: TREVOR SAMSON
THE Democratic Alliance (DA) has shuffled its so-called "shadow cabinet" moving its fiery defence spokesman David Maynier to take the helm at the key finance portfolio.
Mr Maynier has been a significant thorn in the side of Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula for the past five years, demanding answers on the state of the South African National Defence Force.
Given his track record perhaps the only person not happy with the promotion will be Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.
Just as the finance minister is a very senior post in South Africa’s Cabinet, the opposition finance spokesman, or shadow minister, is an indication of the importance and standing of the MP. The assumption behind a shadow cabinet is that should the opposition win an election then it would have a cabinet in waiting.
DA chief whip John Steenhuisen said party leader Mmusi Maimane had thought very carefully about the reshuffle and putting the issues of the economy and jobs at the head of the parliamentary debate.
In other moves Sejamothopo Motau becomes the spokesman on the Presidency with Phumzile Van Damme as deputy spokeswoman.
Kobus Marais takes over from Mr Maynier at defence and Shahied Esau will be the deputy.
Michael Cardo, who was spokesman for co-operative government and traditional affairs moves to economic development with Patrick Atkinson as deputy.
Alf Lees will be deputy spokesman to Mr Maynier at finance.
The DA spokesman for the standing committee on public accounts will be David Ross with Tim Brauteseth as the deputy.
Mr Maynier replaces Dion George as the finance spokesman for the party. Mr George is on a sabbatical away from Parliament.
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