South African President Thabo Mbeki announced his new cabinet for his second five-year term hereon Wednesday, ditching one of his main political rivals and several veteran ministers and having more women in as ministers.

Home Affairs Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the leader of the Zulu-dominated Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), was kicked out of the ministerial line-up by Mbeki, who led the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in winning a landslide victory in the third national election two weeks ago.

"This is a very strong team," Mbeki told the press in the presidential palace, adding the new ministers would respond to "critical challenges" of policy implementation in future.

Deputy President Jacob Zuma, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, Defense Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, and Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula are among those who retained their positions.

Controversial Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang also stays. She has been under attack for failing to address public health problems such as HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Mbeki also separated science and technology ministry from arts and culture ministry with aims to beef up the nation's research and development capabilities.

The new cabinet was considered as the most dramatic shake-up of the South African government since the ANC came to power in 1994. Half of 28 ministers were replaced, and 12 women were named ministers, compared with nine in the last cabinet.

"The ANC welcomes the further progress made in addressing issues of gender representation in the highest levels of public office," said the ANC's statement on the new cabinet, "the significant number of women appointed as ministers and deputy ministers is testimony to our commitment to gender equality."

"The new cabinet reflects the commitment of this ANC-led government to forge a national political leadership that is inclusive and representative of all South Africa's people," said the statement.

The ANC also pledged its full support to the president and the new cabinet, saying it needs to immediately work with all South Africans to tackle the challenges the country faces.

Mbeki was sworn in as the South African president Tuesday.

Source: Xinhua