HARARE, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday appointed a 20-member Cabinet.
Mnangagwa had carried on with some of the old ministers, most notably former home affairs minister Obert Mpofu, former finance minister Patrick Chinamasa, former health minister David Parirenyatwa and former energy minister Simon Khaya Moyo.
Former Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri becomes the first woman to head the defense ministry and will be deputized by war veteran Victor Matemadanda.
Academic and entrepreneur Mthuli Ncube comes in as finance minister and will have to deal with an economic environment in doldrums and characterized by serious foreign currency shortages and cash shortages.
The country's most successful Olympian Kirsty Coventry was among the surprise appointees, coming in as youth, sports, arts and recreation minister.
Mnangagwa said he had discussed the size of Cabinet with his two Vice Presidents - Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi - and they had agreed on the size of the Cabinet.
"I have discussed with my two vice presidents and we have converged on reducing the number to 20. Initially we were 33. We have agreed to run with a 20-member Cabinet and we believe it's ideal for our current challenges," he said.
Two ministers of state were also appointed in the offices of the vice presidents.
Mnangagwa also appointed 13 deputy ministers, with two falling under the minister of lands, agriculture, water, climate and rural resettlement Perrence Shiri.
Mnangagwa said he appointed two deputy ministers in the ministry because it covered many portfolios.
He also appointed nine ministers of state for nine of the country's 10 provinces and said the one for Harare would be appointed later.
He said the new Cabinet should be development oriented and help take the nation to middle income status soon.
"We want to grow, modernize and mechanize the economy," he said.
He said government ministries would continue with 100 day cycles and publish achievements and failures on set goals.
