Cyril Ramaphosa has been sworn in as the South African parliament after his election on Thursday following the decision of Jacob Zuma to resigned on Wednesday.
Ramaphosa last year was elected president of the ruling African National Congress sparking speculations he would soon take over from Mr Zuma.
“So help me God,” says president of the republic Cyril #Ramaphosa. #SwearingIn (@PaulHermanCPT) pic.twitter.com/JbEavmCWmg
— Team News24 (@TeamNews24) February 15, 2018
It’s my honour and privilege to congratulate the president of the republic of South Africa. #SwearingIn (@PaulHermanCPT) pic.twitter.com/gebFzALgt2
— Team News24 (@TeamNews24) February 15, 2018
The South African chief justice supervised over the election of Mr. Ramaphosa on Thursday despite a walkout staged by the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters.
Jacob Zuma on Wednesday finally resigned from his position after refusing to do so for weeks. He was initially defiant in resigning following the decision by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to recall him.
Zuma told the state broadcaster SABC earlier on Wednesday that “I’ve done nothing wrong” as he questioned why the rush in removing him from power.
Jacob Zuma who has been in power since 2009 said the current move to get rid of him was “very unfair” saying “No one ever came and said this is what you have done”.
Ramaphosa now has a huge task of meeting the expectations of many South Africans who are seeking for a new era in a country facing many economic challenges.
He told the lawmakers that “I will work very hard not to disappoint the people of South Africa”, adding that “I would seek to execute that task with humility and dignity.”
Short profile of Cyril Ramaphosa.
- Detained in 1974 and 1976 for anti-apartheid activities
- Chairman of committee which prepared for Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in 1990
- Had hoped to succeed Mandela as president but Thabo Mbeki chosen instead
- Moved full-time into business in 1997, becoming one of South Africa’s richest businessmen
- On Lonmin board during 2012 Marikana massacre
- Elected ANC leader in 2017
- Became acting president of South Africa on 14 February 2018
Source: Africafeeds.com
