Pretoria - Former Premier of the North West Edna Molewa has been appointed Social Development Minister.
Minister Molewa replaces Dr Zola Skweyiya, who earlier this week resigned as a Member of Parliament and from politics, due to health reasons.
In a statement, the former Minister stated that he had communicated his decision to the African National Congress, which had him at number 13 on their list of candidates to fill the seats allocated to the party in the National Assembly.
The social development portfolio aims to improve the quality of life of those less fortunate.
South Africa has one of the biggest social programmes, paying out grants to over 9 million South Africans per annum.
In 2009, the social grants programme was increased R13.2 billion and extended to children up to 15 years of age. The age for men to become eligible for a pension was reduced to 60.
President Jacob Zuma announced his new Cabinet at the Union Buildings on Sunday.
