Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel will help President Jacob Zuma with his work in a New Partnership for African Development (Nepad) sub-committee on infrastructure, the presidency said on Monday.
In a statement, the presidency said Manuel — who is responsible for the National Planning Commission — would assist Zuma in his role as the African Union champion of the north-south infrastructure development corridor.
“We have the enormous task of promoting tangible action, and have to mobilise resources for the development of infrastructure in the continent,” Zuma said in the statement.
“Minister Manuel and I will work closely together to ensure that South Africa fulfils its continental responsibilities on infrastructure … We trust that we will be able to mobilise the private sector to work with us on this massive but very important project.”
Political champion
Zuma was the “political champion” of road and rail links between the north and south of the continent as a member of Nepad’s high level sub-committee on infrastructure.
The sub-committee includes heads of state and from South Africa, Algeria, Benin, Egypt, Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Rwanda and Senegal.
A ministerial group on infrastructure was being established to support the designated heads of state. Manuel had been tasked with this role for South Africa in line with his national planning responsibilities.
The presidency said the ministerial group was set to work on the “concept document” of prioritised projects generated by a task team and other “expert institutions”.
The group would also monitor the implementation of projects on behalf of the heads of state.
The announcement followed weekend reports that Zuma was set to make several “possible key changes” to his Cabinet.
One possible change was the departure of Manuel to take up a senior position either at the World Bank or in Nepad, reports said. – Sapa