Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on national television the selection of South Africa’s new cabinet. Although there was no surprise to see the names of such competent officials as Pravan Gordhan, Ephraim Patel, Naledi Pandor, Lindiwe Sisulu, and Tito Mboweni, Ramaphosa’s selection of Patricia de Lille as minister of public works and enterprises really “put the cat among the pigeons.”

As South Africa concludes a set of historic national elections, questions remain on how its democracy will fare in response to a new set of challenges.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s new cabinet is a significant improvement over his predecessor's and will reassure domestic and international investors.

In his June 20 state of the nation address to parliament, President Cyril Ramaphosa laid out a short-term approach to land reform, including a call for the expropriation of privately owned land without compensation for distribution.

Moody’s Investors Service kept South Africa’s credit rating at investor grade, though it is still only one notch above junk, and changed its outlook for the country to stable.