Reduced size of government
Home >> Governance >> Structure of government >> Reduced size of government

Individual Reform: Reduced size of government 2026 - 2027

Downsizing government seems unlikely in the current administration.

Combination of departments

Summary

In the State of the Nation Address (Sona), the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of ministers and their deputies: https://www.gov.za/blog/size-and-form-government

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No action yet.

Actions

Limited information.

Are there plans?

Proposed during Sona.

Is it on the agenda?

Merge departments.

Goals

No progress. .

Summary

In the State of the Nation Address (Sona), the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of ministers and their deputies: https://www.gov.za/blog/size-and-form-government

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The opposite has happened -- there are more ministries/national departments under the new administration. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two , including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Minerals and Energy has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

Actions

GNU resulted in more government departments.

Are there plans?

Proposed during Sona.

Is it on the agenda?

Merge departments.

Goals

The president’s proposal is to combine several government departments to cut spending.

Summary

In the State of the Nation Address (Sona) during the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of ministers and their deputies: https://www.gov.za/blog/size-and-form-government

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The opposite has happened -- there are more ministries/national departments under the new administration. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Minerals and Energy has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy. Others such as the Department of Public Enterprises have been scrapped. Nevertheless, it's still early to say if the new government departments are effective in terms of delivery but if they underperform they could be split or merged as had been in the past.

Actions

GNU resulted in more government departments.

Are there plans?

Proposed during Sona and pre-2019 general elections but no formal plan developed.

Is it on the agenda?

Merge departments. Based on performance agreements with his ministers and deputy ministers, Ramaphosa merged some of the departments post-2019 general elections. These are: - Communications + Telecommunications and Postal Services = the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) - Sport and Recreation + Arts and Culture = the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture - Economic Development + Trade and Industry = the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) - Mineral Resources + Energy = the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)

Goals

The president’s proposal is to combine several government departments to cut spending.

Summary

In the State of the Nation Address (Sona) during the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of ministers and their deputies: https://www.gov.za/blog/size-and-form-government

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The opposite has happened -- there are more ministries/national departments under the new administration. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Minerals and Energy has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy. Others such as the Department of Public Enterprises have been scrapped. Nevertheless, it's still early to say if the new government departments are effective in terms of delivery but if they underperform they could be split or merged as had been in the past.

Actions

GNU resulted in more government departments.

Are there plans?

Proposed during Sona and pre-2019 general elections but no formal plan developed.

Is it on the agenda?

Merge departments. Based on performance agreements with his ministers and deputy ministers, Ramaphosa merged some of the departments post-2019 general elections. These are: - Communications + Telecommunications and Postal Services = the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) - Sport and Recreation + Arts and Culture = the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture - Economic Development + Trade and Industry = the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) - Mineral Resources + Energy = the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)

Goals

The president’s proposal is to combine several government departments to cut spending.

Summary

In the State of the Nation Address (Sona) during the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of ministers and their deputies: https://www.gov.za/blog/size-and-form-government

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments under the new administration. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Minerals and Energy has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy. Others such as the Department of Public Enterprises have been scrapped. Nevertheless, it's still early to say if the new government departments are effective in terms of delivery but if they underperform they could be split or merged as had been in the past.

Actions

GNU resulted in more government departments.

Are there plans?

Proposed during Sona 2024 and pre-2019 general elections but no formal plan developed.

Is it on the agenda?

It remains unclear if the process will fall part of the GNU agenda. During the previous administration, President Ramaphosa merged some of the departments post-2019 general elections. These are: - Communications + Telecommunications and Postal Services = the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) - Sport and Recreation + Arts and Culture = the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture - Economic Development + Trade and Industry = the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) - Mineral Resources + Energy = the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)

Goals

The president’s proposal is to combine several government departments to cut spending.

Summary

We stopped tracking this reform at end-June due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued, with more government departments than pre-GNU. During the previous administration some government departments were merged but since the GNU there has been an increase in the number of departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including : • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. •The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under the GNU(2024 to present), the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy. Reason In the 2019 State of the Nation Address (Sona) during the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including : • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) •The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under GNU, the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The opposite has happened: there are now 32 ministers under the new administration compared to 30 in the previous administration. We no longer tack this reform due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued.

Actions

GNU resulted in more government departments. there are more ministries/national departments under the new administration. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Minerals and Energy has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy. Others such as the Department of Public Enterprises have been scrapped. Nevertheless, it's still early to say if the new government departments are effective in terms of delivery but if they underperform they could be split or merged as had been in the past.

Are there plans?

No formal plan developed.

Is it on the agenda?

In the 2018 state of the nation address (Sona), the President announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments. This however does not appear to be part of the GNU agenda, which has more government departments. However, this appears to have fallen away after the GNU was formed.

Goals

The President’s proposal is to combine several government departments to cut spending.

Summary

We stopped tracking this reform at end-June due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued, with more government departments than pre-GNU. During the previous administration some government departments were merged but since the GNU there has been an increase in the number of departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including: • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. • The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) under the GNU (2024 to present), the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy. Reason In the 2019 State of the Nation Address (Sona) during the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including : • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) • The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under GNU, the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The opposite has happened: there are now 32 ministers under the new administration compared to 30 in the previous administration. We no longer tack this reform due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued.

Actions

GNU resulted in more government departments. there are more ministries/national departments under the new administration. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Minerals and Energy has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy. Others such as the Department of Public Enterprises have been scrapped. Nevertheless, it's still early to say if the new government departments are effective in terms of delivery but if they underperform they could be split or merged as had been in the past.

Are there plans?

No formal plan developed.

Is it on the agenda?

In the 2018 state of the nation address (Sona), the President announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments. This however does not appear to be part of the GNU agenda, which has more government departments. However, this appears to have fallen away after the GNU was formed.

Goals

The President’s proposal is to combine several government departments to cut spending.

Summary

We stopped tracking this reform at end-June due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued, with more government departments than pre-GNU. During the previous administration some government departments were merged but since the GNU there has been an increase in the number of departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including: • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. • The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) under the GNU (2024 to present), the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy. Reason In the 2019 State of the Nation Address (Sona) during the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including : • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) • The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under GNU, the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The opposite has happened: there are now 32 ministers under the new administration compared to 30 in the previous administration. We no longer tack this reform due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued.

Actions

GNU resulted in more government departments. there are more ministries/national departments under the new administration. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Minerals and Energy has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy. Others such as the Department of Public Enterprises have been scrapped. Nevertheless, it's still early to say if the new government departments are effective in terms of delivery but if they underperform they could be split or merged as had been in the past.

Are there plans?

No formal plan developed.

Is it on the agenda?

In the 2018 state of the nation address (Sona), the President announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments. This however does not appear to be part of the GNU agenda, which has more government departments. However, this appears to have fallen away after the GNU was formed.

Goals

The President’s proposal is to combine several government departments to cut spending.

Summary

We stopped tracking this reform at end-June due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued, with more government departments than pre-GNU. During the previous administration some government departments were merged but since the GNU there has been an increase in the number of departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including: • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. • The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) under the GNU (2024 to present), the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy. Reason In the 2019 State of the Nation Address (Sona) during the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including : • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) • The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under GNU, the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The opposite has happened: there are now 32 ministers under the new administration compared to 30 in the previous administration. We no longer tack this reform due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued.

Actions

GNU resulted in more government departments. there are more ministries/national departments under the new administration. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Minerals and Energy has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy. Others such as the Department of Public Enterprises have been scrapped. Nevertheless, it's still early to say if the new government departments are effective in terms of delivery but if they underperform they could be split or merged as had been in the past.

Are there plans?

No formal plan developed.

Is it on the agenda?

In the 2018 state of the nation address (Sona), the President announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments. This however does not appear to be part of the GNU agenda, which has more government departments. However, this appears to have fallen away after the GNU was formed.

Goals

The President’s proposal is to combine several government departments to cut spending.

Analyst: Thabani Madlala
Status: halted
Last Updated:
Next Update:
Got an Update? Follow this reform
Reform Area:
Reform:

    If you would like to alert our analysts to an update you are aware of in this particular reform area, please complete the form below and submit it to us. Please ensure you include links to any press releases or other documents to confirm the reforms and provide detail to allow our analysts to assess the changes. Our team will review it.

    Reduced number of deputy ministers

    Summary

    In the Sona, the president announced that the department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of ministers and their deputies.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    No action yet.

    Actions

    Limited information.

    Are there plans?

    Proposed during the Sona.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Reduce number of deputy ministers.

    Goals

    No movement on this.

    Summary

    In the Sona, the president announced that the department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of deputy ministers

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 43 deputy ministers under the new administration compared to 36 in the previous administration.

    Actions

    Limited information

    Are there plans?

    Proposed during the Sona.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Reduce number of deputy ministers.

    Goals

    The president proposes to reduce the size of government to cut spending.

    Summary

    In the Sona of previous administration, the president announced that the department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of deputy ministers.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 43 deputy ministers under the new administration compared to 36 in the previous administration.

    Actions

    Limited information

    Are there plans?

    Proposed during the Sona (not actual plan).

    Is it on the agenda?

    Reduce number of deputy ministers.

    Goals

    The president proposes to reduce the size of government to cut spending.

    Summary

    In the Sona of previous administration, the president announced that the department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of deputy ministers.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 43 deputy ministers under the new administration compared to 36 in the previous administration.

    Actions

    Limited information

    Are there plans?

    Proposed during the Sona (not actual plan).

    Is it on the agenda?

    Reduce number of deputy ministers.

    Goals

    The president proposes to reduce the size of government to cut spending.

    Summary

    In the Sona of previous administration, the president announced that the department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of deputy ministers.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 43 deputy ministers under the new administration compared to 36 in the previous administration.

    Actions

    Limited information

    Are there plans?

    Proposed during the Sona (not actual plan).

    Is it on the agenda?

    Reduce number of deputy ministers.

    Goals

    The president proposes to reduce the size of government to cut spending.

    Summary

    We stopped tracking this reform at end-June due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued, with a bigger Cabinet than pre-GNU. After merging some departments in the previous administration, more departments were formed in the GNU. In the 2019 State of the Nation Address (Sona) during the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including : • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) •The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under GNU, the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 43 deputy ministers under the new administration compared to 36 in the previous administration. We no longer tack this reform due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued.

    Actions

    Limited information; no actions have been taken to move this forward.

    Are there plans?

    No plans were developed to effect this reform.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Announced in the 2018 state of the nation address.

    Goals

    Reduce the size of government to cut spending.

    Summary

    We stopped tracking this reform at end-June due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued, with a bigger Cabinet than pre-GNU. After merging some departments in the previous administration, more departments were formed in the GNU. In the 2019 State of the Nation Address (Sona) during the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including : • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) •The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under GNU, the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 43 deputy ministers under the new administration compared to 36 in the previous administration. We no longer tack this reform due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued.

    Actions

    Limited information; no actions have been taken to move this forward.

    Are there plans?

    No plans were developed to effect this reform.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Announced in the 2018 state of the nation address.

    Goals

    Reduce the size of government to cut spending.

    Summary

    We stopped tracking this reform at end-June due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued, with a bigger Cabinet than pre-GNU. After merging some departments in the previous administration, more departments were formed in the GNU. In the 2019 State of the Nation Address (Sona) during the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including : • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) •The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under GNU, the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 43 deputy ministers under the new administration compared to 36 in the previous administration. We no longer tack this reform due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued.

    Actions

    Limited information; no actions have been taken to move this forward.

    Are there plans?

    No plans were developed to effect this reform.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Announced in the 2018 state of the nation address.

    Goals

    Reduce the size of government to cut spending.

    Summary

    We stopped tracking this reform at end-June due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued, with a bigger Cabinet than pre-GNU. After merging some departments in the previous administration, more departments were formed in the GNU. In the 2019 State of the Nation Address (Sona) during the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including : • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) •The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under GNU, the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 43 deputy ministers under the new administration compared to 36 in the previous administration. We no longer tack this reform due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued.

    Actions

    Limited information; no actions have been taken to move this forward.

    Are there plans?

    No plans were developed to effect this reform.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Announced in the 2018 state of the nation address.

    Goals

    Reduce the size of government to cut spending.

    Analyst: Thabani Madlala
    Status: Halted
    Last Updated:
    Next Update:
    Got an Update? Follow this reform
    Reform Area:
    Reform:

      If you would like to alert our analysts to an update you are aware of in this particular reform area, please complete the form below and submit it to us. Please ensure you include links to any press releases or other documents to confirm the reforms and provide detail to allow our analysts to assess the changes. Our team will review it.

      Reduction in size of cabinet (ministers)

      Summary

      In the SONA, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of ministers and their deputies.

      Canvas not supported.

      Is it working?

      No action yet.

      Actions

      Limited information.

      Are there plans?

      Proposed during the Sona.

      Is it on the agenda?

      Reduce number of ministers.

      Goals

      Currently no clear direction on the proposal.

      Summary

      In the Sona, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of ministers.

      Canvas not supported.

      Is it working?

      The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 32 ministers under the new administration compared to 30 in the previous administration.

      Actions

      Limited information

      Are there plans?

      Proposed during the Sona.

      Is it on the agenda?

      Reduce number of ministers.

      Goals

      The president proposes to reduce the size of government to cut spending.

      Summary

      In the Sona of the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of ministers.

      Canvas not supported.

      Is it working?

      The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 32 ministers under the new administration compared to 30 in the previous administration.

      Actions

      Limited information

      Are there plans?

      Proposed during the Sona (not actual plan).

      Is it on the agenda?

      Reduce number of ministers.

      Goals

      The president proposes to reduce the size of government to cut spending.

      Summary

      In the Sona of the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of ministers.

      Canvas not supported.

      Is it working?

      The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 32 ministers under the new administration compared to 30 in the previous administration.

      Actions

      Limited information

      Are there plans?

      Proposed during the Sona (not actual plan).

      Is it on the agenda?

      Reduce number of ministers.

      Goals

      The president proposes to reduce the size of government to cut spending.

      Summary

      In the Sona of the previous administration, the president announced that his department and National Treasury would work with other departments to develop a proposal to merge government departments and reduce the number of ministers.

      Canvas not supported.

      Is it working?

      The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 32 ministers under the new administration compared to 30 in the previous administration.

      Actions

      Limited information

      Are there plans?

      Proposed during the Sona (not actual plan).

      Is it on the agenda?

      Reduce number of ministers.

      Goals

      The president proposes to reduce the size of government to cut spending.

      Summary

      HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued, with a bigger Cabinet than pre-GNU. During the previous administration some government departments were merged but since the GNE there has been an increase in the number of departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including : • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. •The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under the GNU (2024 to present), the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

      Canvas not supported.

      Is it working?

      The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 32 ministers under the new administration compared to 30 in the previous administration. We no longer tack this reform due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued.

      Actions

      No actions have been taken to effect this reform.

      Are there plans?

      No plans were developed to effect this reform.

      Is it on the agenda?

      Announced in the 2018 state of the nation address.

      Goals

      Reduce the size of government to cut spending.

      Summary

      HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued, with a bigger Cabinet than pre-GNU. During the previous administration some government departments were merged but since the GNE there has been an increase in the number of departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including : • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. •The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under the GNU (2024 to present), the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

      Canvas not supported.

      Is it working?

      The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 32 ministers under the new administration compared to 30 in the previous administration. We no longer tack this reform due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued.

      Actions

      No actions have been taken to effect this reform.

      Are there plans?

      No plans were developed to effect this reform.

      Is it on the agenda?

      Announced in the 2018 state of the nation address.

      Goals

      Reduce the size of government to cut spending.

      Summary

      HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued, with a bigger Cabinet than pre-GNU. During the previous administration some government departments were merged but since the GNE there has been an increase in the number of departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including: • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. •The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under the GNU (2024 to present), the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

      Canvas not supported.

      Is it working?

      The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 32 ministers under the new administration compared to 30 in the previous administration. We no longer tack this reform due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued.

      Actions

      No actions have been taken to effect this reform.

      Are there plans?

      No plans were developed to effect this reform.

      Is it on the agenda?

      Announced in the 2018 state of the nation address.

      Goals

      Reduce the size of government to cut spending.

      Summary

      HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued, with a bigger Cabinet than pre-GNU. During the previous administration some government departments were merged but since the GNE there has been an increase in the number of departments. During his first term (2019-2023), some departments were merged including: • The Department of Trade and Industry was combined with the Department of Economic Development to form the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. • The Department of Environmental Affairs was combined with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries to form the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. •The Department of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services were merged to create the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) • The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were merged to form the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). • The Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy were combined to form the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Under the GNU (2024 to present), the opposite has happened: there are more ministries/national departments. Some departments from the previous administration have split into two, including: - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) which has split into the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. - The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has been split into two: Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Department of Electricity and Energy.

      Canvas not supported.

      Is it working?

      The opposite has happened in the GNU: there are now 32 ministers under the new administration compared to 30 in the previous administration. We no longer tack this reform due to lack of progress and no indication that it is being pursued.

      Actions

      No actions have been taken to effect this reform.

      Are there plans?

      No plans were developed to effect this reform.

      Is it on the agenda?

      Announced in the 2018 state of the nation address.

      Goals

      Reduce the size of government to cut spending.

      Analyst: Thabani Madlala
      Status: halted
      Last Updated:
      Next Update:
      Got an Update? Follow this reform
      Reform Area:
      Reform:

        If you would like to alert our analysts to an update you are aware of in this particular reform area, please complete the form below and submit it to us. Please ensure you include links to any press releases or other documents to confirm the reforms and provide detail to allow our analysts to assess the changes. Our team will review it.