Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri said last year that she will vacate her position in 2009, and rumors are starting to emerge that an established ANC stalwart will take her place.<\/p>\n
“Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri is held responsible for the disastrous Telkom privatization and slow progress in opening internet and telephony markets’ She is definitely out,” the Mail & Guardian states.<\/p>\n
According to the Mail & Guardian Pallo Jordan ‘is ready for a more senior position’ and may be considered for the position of Communications Minister. Jordan currently heads up the ANC’s internal communications unit. <\/p>\n
Another strong candidate is Deputy Communications Minister Roy Padayachie who has long been seen as more progressive than Matsepe-Casaburri and a potential successor to the Minister.<\/p>\n
Communications Director General Lyndall Shope-Mafole’s defection to the new ANC breakaway party COPE has taken her out of the running.<\/p>\n