TWO newly-appointed deputy ministers believe they have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions in their respective portfolios - which will see the betterment of the country.
Ashor Sarupen, 36, of Gauteng, who was appointed as one of two Deputy Ministers of Finance, said it was an incredible opportunity to contribute towards “fixing” South Africa. The other is David Masondo.
“Furthermore, I have served on finance committees in the Gauteng legislature and Parliament, and this validates my hard work and dedication over many years in becoming an expert on public finance,” he said.
Sarupen, who hails from Pietermaritzburg, said he attended Wits University where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree, before entering politics as a research analyst for the Democratic Alliance(DA) in Gauteng.
He subsequently acquired a BSC Honours (Wits), MBA (Wits) and an MPhil in Corporate Strategy at the University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). His MBA research focused on business models for the Internet of Things, and his MPhil research was into the impact of anti-globalisation on the South African economy.
Sarupen said he was elected to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council in 2011 and served as the Chief Whip of the Official Opposition in the Council at the age of 22. He served on the council Rules, Ethics and Public Accounts committees.
In 2014, he was appointed as the election strategist for the DA’s Gauteng election campaign.
Sarupen said he thereafter served as a member of the Gauteng Legislature between 2014 and 2019, representing the DA on the Finance, Economic Development, Social Development and Education committees.
From 2019, Sarupen served as a Member of Parliament and the DA’s Shadow Minister on the Appropriations Committee - which deals with the national budget.
Sarupen said his goal in his new position was to contribute towards restoring the various financial institutions.
“National Treasury is one of the better run departments in South Africa, but within it there is SARS and other entities that were victims of state capture that have had to be rebuilt.
“Another one of my other goals is to make sure that we re-look at how local government is financed. There are too many municipalities in financial disarray and it means, for example, people are going without water for days or weeks. Local governments need a new financial model,” he said.
Narend Singh, who was appointed as one of the two Deputy Ministers of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said it was both a tremendous honour and a significant responsibility. The other is Bernice Swarts.
“I am humbled that I have been called upon by His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa. I reaffirm my commitment to public service and environmental advocacy. The opportunity I have been afforded allows me to bring my experience and passion to bear on critical issues affecting our country within the forestry, fisheries and environment portfolio,”he said.
Singh, who hails from KwaZulu-Natal, said the appointment, on a career level, represented an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the stewardship of South Africa's natural resources, working towards sustainable use and preserving the environment for future generations.
“On a personal level, the appointment resonates deeply with my values and belief in the importance of safeguarding the environment. It strengthens my resolve to make a difference in the lives of South Africans, ensuring we all can enjoy the blessings of our rich natural heritage and biodiversity,” he said.
Singh, former IFP Chief Whip in Parliament, said his plans and goals within his position were oriented around sustainable development and protection of biodiversity.
‘This includes the protection of all indigenous flora and fauna, as well as equitable access for all South Africans to natural our abundant resources. I also intend to focus on enhancing regulatory frameworks to ensure that conservation efforts go hand-in-hand with economic growth, particularly in areas like ecotourism and sustainable fishing, which hold great potential for job creation.
“Furthermore, strengthening the enforcement of environmental laws to combat poaching and illegal fishing will be another priority. Captive-bred lion hunting will be coming to an end in South Africa,” he said.
Singh said he was keen to assist in addressing the challenges of coastal erosion and marine pollution in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, which threaten both biodiversity and the livelihoods of communities dependent on these ecosystems.
“Our Great African Kelp Forest which stretches about 1000 km along our coastline must also be protected. The recent floods caused by changing climatic conditions have highlighted the urgent need for improving our disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, a task that I believe is critical for our department.
“Furthermore, I aim to foster deeper collaboration between our ministry, local communities, and the private sector. Establishing stronger partnerships is crucial for tackling issues like deforestation and ensuring the sustainable management of our marine resources. By working together, I believe we can achieve a balance between environmental conservation and economic development for the benefit of all South Africans,” he said.