Cyril Ramaphosa Sworn in for Second Term as South Africa’s President
Cyril Ramaphosa was officially sworn in for a second term as President of South Africa in Pretoria on Wednesday, following a coalition deal by his African National Congress (ANC).
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo administered the oath of office to Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings, surrounded by lawmakers, foreign dignitaries, religious and traditional leaders, and enthusiastic supporters.
“In the presence of everyone here, and fully aware of the responsibilities I undertake as President… I, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, swear to be faithful to the Republic of South Africa,” Ramaphosa declared.
The 71-year-old leader was re-elected last week after a general election on May 29 yielded no outright winner. Heads of state, including Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Angola’s Joao Lourenco, Congo Brazzaville’s Denis Sassou Nguesso, and Eswatini’s King Mswati III, attended the inauguration.
Guests dressed in formal attire braved the chilly winter morning, arriving amidst heavy security. VIPs, some singing anti-apartheid songs, gathered in a small amphitheater within the grand sandstone government building. Others, waving South African flags, watched performances by dancers and musicians on a large outdoor stage.
After taking the oath, Ramaphosa was celebrated with the national anthem, a 21-gun salute, and a flyover by army helicopters bearing large South African flags.
This marks Ramaphosa’s third oath-taking ceremony. He first assumed office in 2018 after Jacob Zuma was ousted amid corruption scandals, then was elected for a full term in 2019. In South Africa, the parliament is elected by the public, and the president is then chosen by the parliament.
Ramaphosa had promised a new era for South Africa, launching an anti-corruption campaign and beginning reforms in the energy sector. However, his tenure has faced challenges, with persistent power cuts, high crime rates, and rising unemployment, now at 32.9%.
In the recent election, the ANC secured only 40% of the vote, a drop from 57.5% five years earlier, losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994. To stay in power, the ANC formed a coalition government with the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Inkatha Freedom Party, the Patriotic Alliance, and the GOOD party.
This coalition allowed Ramaphosa to defeat a last-minute challenge from leftist politician Julius Malema, securing 283 votes in the 400-seat National Assembly. However, the coalition has faced strong opposition from Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters and former president Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), who boycotted the inauguration and criticized the inclusion of right-wing parties and the DA.
Ramaphosa is expected to announce his new cabinet soon, as discussions with coalition partners continue.