Marian Shinn. Image courtesy of The Democratic Alliance.
South African opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced its new shadow cabinet, with Marian Shinn retaining her telecommunications post.
HumanIPO reported last month President Jacob Zuma had announced his new cabinet, splitting the Department of Communications into two entities.
The newly established Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services is headed by Siyabonga Cwele while Faith Muthambi leads the new Department of Communications.
Marian Shinn has been named the DA’s shadow minister of telecommunications and postal services.
Shinn said last month the restructuring of South Africa’s government ministries is designed to give government control over the media, and has pushed the country back by 25 years.
The formation of the new ministries has resulted in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), the state-owned South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS), Brand SA and the Media Development and Diversity Agency falling under the Department of Communications.
“I think the way these departments have been put together is misguided and will radically inhibit South Africa’s use of ICT to grow the economy and better interact with citizens,” Shinn told HumanIPO.
Speaking on the announcement of the DA’s new shadow ministers, parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said: “This team of South Africans brings together a diverse range of views and experiences that I believe will be a force for change at a time when innovative and creative policy is necessary to take South Africa forward.”
