Not long after the May 24 inauguration of South Africa’s next President – who will be chosen during the first sitting of the country’s fifth democratically elected Parliament, probably on May 21 – citizens will receive a good sense of the priorities of the next administration when the composition of the Cabinet is revealed.

Not much clarity emerged ahead of the May 7 poll as to whether there was likely to be any overhaul of the Cabinet structure itself, notwithstanding ongoing grousing about it being oversized. In fact, the only bit of firm news related to a suggestion of a possible new Ministerial portfolio to take more direct responsibility for small business.

However, in my view, some form of rationalisation could provide an important signal, as it would demonstrate a genuine desire at the highest level to abide by the call for belt tightening. With two Ministers in The Presidency, and a number of overlapping mandates, there is certainly scope for downsizing.

Once the appointments have been made, there will also be much justified scrutiny of the behaviour of the new Ministers, particularly when it comes to their choice of cars, the size of their security detail and how far they are prepared to go in pushing the relocation and accommodation expense account. Without doubt, many South Africans would desperately like to see a greater embrace of the spirit of Ministerial Handbook, with its emphasis on ethics, restraint and diligence, than the somewhat liberal allowances contained in its letter.

Close attention will also be given to the nature and track records of people selected to fill the various posts. Naturally, business will be most interested in who is chosen as Finance Minister. But for many executives, the perceived ability of those called upon to deal with areas that have a direct influence on the investment climate will be equally important. From Trade and Industry and Energy, to Labour, Transport, Communications, Public Enterprises, Home Affairs and Mineral Resources, business will be yearning for individuals with a propensity to grasp the issues, but, as importantly, a willingness to listen, engage and act.

For society as a whole, the selection of the two Education Ministers will be of critical concern, particularly in light of the poor primary and secondary outcomes and the desperate need to begin matching the skills-development pipeline with the needs of industry and commerce. Equally, citizens will be hoping for the selection of individuals in the health and policing portfolios who have the ability to truly lead the capacity and quality changes that are so urgently required.

But there is another yardstick against which critical observers might measure the new Cabinet and that relates to the perceived independent mindedness of its members.

Although it is impossible to know for certain, there always appeared to one or two Ministers in past administrations who one felt could be relied upon to pose the difficult questions to their Cabinet colleagues. A failure to include such individuals in the next adminis- tration should set off the alarm bells, as choosing a Cabinet is as much about credibility as it is about ability.