A week after South Africans voted in the country's sixth democratic elections all eyes are on the ANC's list of candidates for the National Assembly.
Among the candidates are a number of outgoing and former ministers who have previously been implicated in various scandals and many political commentators have strongly advised President Cyril Ramaphosa not to appoint the likes of Malusi Gigaba and Bathabile Dlamini to his new Cabinet.
Speaking to ANC supporters outside Luthuli House the day after the announcement of the election results, the president indicated his intention to remove tainted ministers from his Cabinet and thanked voters for their support.
Ramaphosa said South Africans had, through the elections, sent a clear message that they wanted an ANC that was responsive, humble and led by servant leadership who were competent, and not corrupt or arrogant.
Salesperson Phelo Gxotelwa said that Ramaphosa has already started ridding the Cabinet of corruption and will continue to do so. Picture: Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA)
The question is whether Ramaphosa will be able to resist those within the ruling party who are determined to keep some of these ministers in Cabinet. Bearing in mind that he is after all an elected representive of the party and is bound by the rules and protocols of the ANC, which surely must weigh heavily in whatever decisions he makes.
Dr Gavin Adams, director at DTI, said it was unrealistic to expect Ramaphosa to solve the country's unemployment, poverty and housing problems when corruption and the legacy left to him presented a huge crisis which put the country in a danger zone. Picture: Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA)
In an attempt to gauge public sentiment on the matter, Tracey Adams spoke to a number of people about their feelings around the new president and his ability to live up to the election promises he made.
Grocery store manager Tanner Crawford says he has no doubt that the situation in South Africa will not change despite the promises made by President Ramaphosa. Picture: Tracey Adams/African News Agency(ANA)
We asked a cross-section of Capetonians the following questions:
1. Do you think Cyril Ramaphosa can affect change in South Africa?
2. Do you think Ramaphosa will indeed only elect ministers to his Cabinet that have not been tainted by corruption?
3. What message you would like to send to the president as he considers the ministerial appointments?
Pop-up book store salesperson Shihaam Davids' message to the president is to build a better future for the children of South Africa. Picture: Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA)
Estate agent Donna Stevens said she reluctantly voted for the ANC as she decided to give them another chance. "But this is really going to be the last chance," said Stevens.
Retail assistant Phelo Gxotelwa said he thinks Ramaphosa can make the change needed in South Africa because "he is a business minded guy".
Pop-up book store salesperson Shihaam Davids is hopeful that Ramaphosa will address the housing and unemployment crisis which has been plaguing the country for decades.