Jonas's cabinet appointment welcomed by ECape business

A YEAR ago his political future seemed uncertain as he was one of three members of the Eastern Cape cabinet who failed to make it into the ANC's provincial leadership.

Fast forward 10 months and former economic development MEC Mcebisi Jonas has been handpicked by President Jacob Zuma to serve in the prominent role as deputy finance minister, to help new Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene manage the government's purse.

While the news of Jonas's appointment was a pleasant surprise for many in the Eastern Cape, some in business have warned against unrealistically expecting him to champion the interests of his home province above others. Jonas, who hails from Uitenhage, is one of the new faces in Zuma's cabinet.

Business Unity South Africa vice- president Motse Mfuleni, of Port Elizabeth, said: "We would be mistaken to believe that Mcebisi being there means that the Eastern Cape would get special attention. If it were so, the same could be expected of [Rural Development Minister] Gugile Nkwinti. - Nwabisa Makunga and Cindy Preller