Exactly twenty days after swearing in as Malawi’s first female President and Africa’s second, Her Excellency Mrs Joyce Banda has named her cabinet. Joyce Banda who took over from the late Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa Mutharika has roped in some faces from the former ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party and the opposition, United Democratic Front. Here is a full list.

Her Excellency the State President: Mrs. Joyce Banda who is also Commander in-Chief of Malawi Defense Force and Malawi Police Service, Minister responsible for the Public Service, Statutory Corporation, Civil Service Administration, National Relief and Disaster Management and Nutrition and HIV/Aids

Vice-President and Minister of Health: Rt. Hon. Khumbo Kachali

Minister of Finance: Dr Ken Lipenga MP (retained from the previous cabinet)

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: Hon Ephraim Mganda Chiume MP (retained but given a different portfolio)

Minister of Education, Science and Technology: Eunice Kazembe MP

Minister of Energy, Mining : Hon. Cassim Chilumpha MP (resigned today from the UDF and joined People’s Party)

Minister of Gender, Children and Social Services: Hon. Anita Kalinde MP

Minister of Economic Planning & Development: Hon. Atupele Muluzi MP (from the opposition party, UDF)

Minister of Justice and Attorney General: Hon Ralph Kasambara

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security: Hon Peter Nelson Mwanza MP (retained from the previous cabinet)

Minister of Transport and Public Works: Hon. Sidik Mia MP (retained from the previous cabinet)

Minister of Water Development and Irrigation: Bizwick Muheya MP (retained)

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development: Hon. Grace Zinenani Maseko MP

Minister of Information & Civic Education: Moses Kunkuyu MP

Minister of Industry and Trade: Hon. John Bande MP (retained)

Minister of Lands and Housing: Hon. Henry Phoya MP (joined People’s Party today from the Malawi congress Party)

Ministers of Home Affairs: Hon. Uladi Mussa MP (ditched the party he formed, Malavi People’s Party and joined People’s Party today)

Minister of Defence: Ken Kandodo MP

Minister of Tourism and Culture: Hon. Daniel Liwimbi MP (retained)

Minister of Labour: Hon Eunice Makangala MP

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Management: Hon Catherine Gotani Hara MP (retained and promoted to a full minister)

Minister of Youth and Sports: Enoch Chakufwa Chihana MP (from the Alliance for Democracy)

Minister of Disability and Elderly Affairs: Reen Kachere MP (retained)

Deputy Ministers

Deputy Minister of Finance: Ralph Jooma MP

Deputy Minister of Economic Planning and Development: Khwauli Msisya MP (from Alliance for Democracy)

Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare: Jennifer Chilunga MP

Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development: Augustine Mtendere MP

Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works: Sosten Gwengwe MP

Deputy Minister of Education Science and Technology: Chikumbutso Hiwa MP

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security: Jerome Ulemu Chilapondwa MP

Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change Management: Ibrahim Matola MP (from the opposition, UDF)

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation: Rachel Mazombwe

However missing on the list is the name of Malawi Congress Party President, Hon John Tembo, Goodal Gondwe and the late Presidents brother, Peter wa Mutharika who was the Foreign Affairs Minister. Earlier reports indicated that Tembo was tipped to be the Second Vice President.

Meanwhile Parliament will convene for a budget session on 18th May and it remains to be seen as to how the sitting arrangement will be following the transfer or power from DPP to PP and the mass defections which are taking place.