Pretoria - Former Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Langa Zita, has been appointed Director General in the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
His appointment was announced by Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson on Monday.
"We are particularly proud to have found a candidate that brings in a full background and skills required for this very important role," she said, noting that Langa was not only the Director General of agriculture, but also for forestry and fisheries.
The ministry and department were created in June last year, but the transfer of the fisheries branch was only completed in April this year.
The minister said Zita's experience meant that he also brings in the understanding of the fisheries sector, which is an integral part of the department.
"Under his stewardship, we are confident that the department will now knuckle down on the deliverables set by President Jacob Zuma which include decent employment through economic growth, skilled and capable workforce as well as sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life.
"As a ministry, we welcome Zita in his new office and we are confident that he will elevate our work to the world class levels required for us to meet our priorities," she said.
Until his recent appointment, Zita was a special advisor to the minister focusing on policy.
Zita was Chairperson of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Portfolio Committee, before he was appointed as a convener of the Economic Cluster Committee of the African National Congress (ANC) in Parliament.
