Commission for Gender Equality pleased with number women in cabinet

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) is pleased with the number of female members in President Jacob Zuma's new Cabinet.

"The CGE believes although 50/50 gender parity has not been reached, it is within reach and should be possible to reach in the next election," it said in a statement, issued on Monday night.

The Cabinet comprises 15 female ministers out of a total of 37, which includes Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

"This means that women ministers constitute about 40 percent of the membership of the new Cabinet while male members of the Cabinet constitute 60 percent," it said.

"Given that in the previous Cabinet women ministers constituted about a third of the members... the CGE is pleased to note this as a significant step in the right direction."

The commission also welcomed the increase in the number of female deputy ministers compared to the previous administration.

Zuma announced his new Cabinet on Sunday night.

The SA National Parks (SANParks) congratulated Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa for her second term in the portfolio.

"As the SANParks family we see the re-appointment of minister Molewa as a well-deserved moment of recognition for past achievements and future goals," said SANParks board chairman Kuseni Dlamini in a statement on Tuesday.

"We see this as a move that will continue to open doors for many in the continent... We will do our bit in rallying behind [her] to go beyond the gains that have already been made, particularly in the fight against the onslaught on our country's fauna and flora by criminal elements."