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25 September 2008

Former Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi announced today (midnight, Thursday, 25 September 2008) that she has handed in her resignation as a Member of Parliament (MP) to the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly.

Earlier during the week Ms Fraser-Moleketi confirmed that she had handed in her resignation as minister to outgoing President Thabo Mbeki. 

In line with Chapter Five of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Minister Fraser-Moleketi recognises that the executive authority of the Republic is vested in the President and therefore believes it crucial that the President elect has the right to appoint his own Cabinet.

The former minister has expressed her availability to assist the incoming administration in the hand-over process and with any other assistance that might be sought from her.

The former minister would like to thank outgoing President Thabo Mbeki for the opportunity provided to her to serve the country as a member of Cabinet. "I would like to express my unequivocal appreciation to the former president for his inspired leadership and the confidence that he placed in me by appointing me to various ministerial positions," said Ms Fraser-Moleketi.

Ms Fraser-Moleketi wishes to congratulate the President-elect Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, with whom she has had a long and productive working relationship spanning the course of her political career.

"I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve the African National Congress (ANC) over the last 28 years, 14 of which have been in the executive and will always be of service to the people of South Africa. I remain as always a committed member of the ANC," said Ms Fraser-Moleketi.

"It has been a great honour for me to be one of the pioneers of the first 15 years of our democracy, I urge public servants to embody the spirit of 'business unusual,' to carry out their mandate with audaciousness and vigour in the service of our country and our people. It has been an extraordinary privilege to provide leadership in the domain of the public service," added Ms Fraser-Moleketi.

The former minister remains committed to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, a democratic state founded on the following values:
* Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms.
* The creation of a non-racial society.
* The creation of a non-sexist society.
* The supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.

"I wish my successor at the Ministry for the Public Service and Administration every success with the important tasks and challenges which lie ahead," said Ms Fraser-Moleketi.

For more information, contact:
Ramona Baijnath
Tel: 012 336 1167
Fax to E-mail: 087 807 3789
Cell: 082 308 2666

Issued by: Ministry for Public Service and Administration
25 September 2008