President Jacob Zuma has again made changes to his Cabinet.

The Presidency said in a statement on Tuesday that Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize has been appointed Higher Education and Training Minister, Ayanda Dlodlo as Home Affairs Minister, Mmamaloko Kubayi as Communications Minister, David Mahlobo as Energy Minister, Advocate Bongani Thomas Bongo as State Security Minister and Buti Manamela as Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister.

"I thank the former members of the national executive for good service in their previous portfolios. I wish the members who are assuming new portfolios all the best in their new responsibilities," Zuma said.

Mkhize takes over from Dr Blade Nzimande.

Kubayi moves to communications from the energy portfolio, where she was appointed Minister in Zuma's March Cabinet reshuffle.

BNP Paribas South Africa economist Jeffrey Schultz commented in a statement that Zuma’s Cabinet changes were not good news for the currency or the country’s credit ratings.

“We would expect concerns over the country’s controversial and highly costly nuclear energy build programme to grow significantly under Mahlobo’s leadership because of his loyalties to Zuma.

“Furthermore, Cabinet changes just over a week before the medium-term budget on October 25 won’t go down particularly well with the rating agencies, which are looking for policy certainty and government stability,” he said.

He added that Zuma’s decision to shake up his Cabinet again was another strategic chess move as the President makes his final moves in the “State capture agenda”.

“The battle is on and the stakes are high,” he said.