[5] The deputy president and ministers may be from various political parties, reflecting the outcomes of the general election or coalition agreements.

Members of the cabinet are accountable collectively and individually to Parliament for the exercise of their powers and the performance of their functions.

The composition and responsibilities of cabinet members and deputy ministers may be reconfigured by the president as required to enhance efficiency and address the nation's priorities.

This reconfiguration is part of the president's executive powers to organize the government in a way that they believe will best serve national interests.

[12][13] A cabinet member or deputy minister's term of office begins upon their swearing-in, not upon the announcement of their appointment by the president.

When announcing the cabinet president Ramaphosa stated, "In casting their votes, the people [of South Africa] made it clear that they expect political parties to work together to deliver on a mandate of transformation, growth, and renewal.

To give effect to this mandate, it was agreed that a Government of National Unity, which brings together parties from across the political spectrum, should be formed.

"[16] This Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed by the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Patriotic Alliance (PA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Good Party (Good), Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), United Democratic Movement (UDM), Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi (Rise) and UAT,[17] although the UAT withdrew on 12 July 2024 after it did not receive any positions in the Cabinet.

[18] The partnership between the GNU parties is guided by a Statement of Intent, which outlines fundamental principles and a minimum programme of priorities.

After the 2024 national and provincial election, president Cyril Ramaphosa announced the GNU cabinet and deputy ministers on 30 June 2024.

The table below details the distribution of parliamentary seats, cabinet members, and deputy ministers among the parties of the GNU.

The Inkatha Freedom Party continued to hold seats in the government, as minority partners, until the elections of 2004.

[38] In the 1984 tricameral parliamentary elections, Allan Hendrickse's Labour Party won a majority of seats in the coloured House of Representatives, while Amichand Rajbansi's National People's Party won a plurality of seats in the Indian House of Delegates.