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75-495: Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa (born 17 November 1952) is a South African businessman and politician serving as the 5th and current President of South Africa since 2018. A former anti-apartheid activist and trade union leader, Ramaphosa is also the president (leader) of the African National Congress (ANC). Ramaphosa rose to national prominence as secretary general of South Africa's biggest and most powerful trade union,
150-699: A conflict of interest , particularly in industries regulated by the government. His other interests – including a share trading company, his livestock farms, his property interests, and a sports car company – were placed in a blind trust . Parliament's 2014 Register of Members' Interests reflected over R76-million in company shares held by Ramaphosa (although that figure excluded shares held together with private individuals), as well as his ownership of 30 townhouses in Johannesburg and two apartments in Cape Town . Alongside his duties as Deputy President, Ramaphosa
225-832: A 20-year master franchise agreement to run 145 McDonald's restaurants in South Africa. He also belonged to the Coca-Cola Company International Advisory Board and the Unilever Africa Advisory Council. Ramaphosa's various shareholdings made him one of South Africa's richest men. According to the Sunday Times , his estimated net worth of R2.22 billion made him the 13th richest person in South Africa in 2011, and that figure jumped to R3.1 billion in 2012. Both estimates, moreover, excluded his unlisted investments through Shanduka, including
300-644: A businessman, including as an owner of McDonald's South Africa, chair of the board for MTN , member of the board for Lonmin , and founder of the Shanduka Group . Ramaphosa returned to politics in December 2012 at the ANC's 53rd National Conference and served as the deputy president of South Africa under President Jacob Zuma from 2014 to 2018. He was also chairman of the National Planning Commission . At
375-455: A constitutional amendment allowing the government to confiscate farms owned by White South Africans. He has said that the state having the power to seize property for no compensation will encourage economic growth. In a time when the Rand is at a two-year low, economists have been doubtful over the possibility of this policy being successful. On 14 August 2018, Ramaphosa appointed Dr. Silas Ramaite as
450-494: A form of modern terrorism being developed during the apartheid period. Terrorism was occurring due to activities of the state and because of liberation movements that were happening at the time. The acts stated purpose was to assist the government in combating terrorism; however, it was instead used by law enforcement to target and prosecute various organizations and individuals who had opposed state control. The Apartheid government used anti-terrorism laws to target those who opposed
525-466: A partnership viewed as a strategic attempt by Zuma to "outsmart and punish" Kgalema Motlanthe , who was challenging Zuma for the presidency but whose constituency was similar to Ramaphosa's, given their shared union backgrounds and polished reputations. Ramaphosa elected ANC Deputy President in a resounding victory on 18 December: he received 3,018 votes, while Mathews Phosa received 470 votes and Tokyo Sexwale received 463 votes. After his reelection in
600-406: A player of considerable weight and scale in the global market as well. At the 2020 AU Summit, Ramaphosa also expressed support for closing the gender gap and ending gender inequality. His government responded to the 2021 South African unrest , the deadliest riots in South Africa since the apartheid era . Ramaphosa was re-elected as President for a second term on 14 June 2024 with the support of
675-408: A trust and step up for a higher and more senior position". Ramaphosa dismissed the resulting speculation, saying, "You can't read anything [into what Hanekom said]. He was joking". Indeed, Ramaphosa did not confirm his intention to accept the deputy presidential nomination until 16 December, the day before the conference began. However, he received strong backing from incumbent President Jacob Zuma –
750-693: A two-day working visit to Vietnam and Singapore, the objectives of which included consolidating trade relations, as well as the opportunity for South Africa to learn from the Singaporean economic model and the role it prescribed for state-owned enterprises . Ramaphosa also continued to serve as Zuma's Special Envoy during the mediation in the South Sudanese conflict, and participated in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mediation in neighbouring Lesotho . Ramaphosa stood for
825-553: A vacancy arises. The president is elected by the National Assembly , the lower house of Parliament, from among its members. The chief justice must oversee the election. Once elected, a person is no longer a member of the National Assembly. They must then be sworn in as president within five days of the election. Should a vacancy arise, the date of a new election must be set by the chief justice, but not more than 30 days after
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#1732869712229900-485: A viceroy, the governor-general . Following the 1960 referendum and subsequent declaration of the Republic of South Africa on 31 May 1961, the office of State President was created. It was originally a ceremonial post, but became an executive post in 1984 when a new constitution abolished the post of Prime Minister and transferred its powers to the state president. The country ended minority rule in 1994. The office of
975-534: Is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of South Africa . The president directs the executive branch of the government and is the commander-in-chief of the South African National Defence Force . Between 1961 and 1994, the office of head of state was the state presidency . The president is elected by the National Assembly , the lower house of Parliament , and is usually
1050-521: Is the commander-in-chief of the South African National Defence Force thereby possessing influence or control over foreign and security policy. The president is accorded the constitutional powers to declare war and make peace, negotiate and sign (although not ratify) treaties (and the alliances that may come with them), and receives and appoints diplomatic officials, confers honours and grants pardons. African National Congress Terrorism Act, 1967 The Terrorism Act No 83 of 1967
1125-680: The 2014 elections , President Zuma appointed Ramaphosa the Deputy President of South Africa on 25 May 2014; Ramaphosa was sworn into office by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng the following day. After his election as ANC Deputy President, Ramaphosa had begun the process of resigning from various business positions, and in 2014 he concluded the process, as required by the Executive Ethics Code. This entailed his exit from Shanduka, from McDonald's South Africa, from platinum producer Lonmin , and from all other companies which might give rise to
1200-585: The African Union from 2020 to 2021 and led South Africa's response to the COVID-19 pandemic . Ramaphosa's net worth was estimated at over R 6.4 billion ( $ 450 million) as of 2018. He has been criticised for his conduct and involvement in his business interests, including his harsh posture as a Lonmin director towards the Marikana miners' strike in the week ahead of the Marikana massacre . On 19 December 2022, it
1275-806: The Cape of Good Hope were vested in their governors. Likewise, it was invested in the presidents of the Boer republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State . Alternating sovereignty as a result of wars culminated in the Treaty of Vereeniging which concluded the South African War . The Union of South Africa , a British Dominion, was established on 31 May 1910 with the British monarch as titular head of state, represented by
1350-664: The Council of Unions of South Africa (CUSA) as an advisor in the legal department. In 1982, CUSA requested that Ramaphosa start a union for mineworkers; this new union was launched in the same year and was named the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Ramaphosa was arrested in Lebowa , on the charge of organising or planning to take part in a meeting in Namakgale which had been banned by the local magistrate. In August 1982, CUSA resolved to form
1425-579: The Democratic Alliance and other opposition parties after ANC failed to win an outright majority in the 2024 general elections . Ramaphosa was inaugurated and took his oath of office at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 19 June 2024. Since Ramaphosa became president he has made land reform and the economy his main priorities, as well as dealing with the outbreak of listeriosis which has claimed
1500-543: The National Union of Mineworkers . In 1991 , he was elected ANC secretary general under ANC president Nelson Mandela and became the ANC's chief negotiator during the negotiations that ended apartheid . He was elected chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly after the country's first fully democratic elections in 1994 and some observers believed that he was Mandela's preferred successor. However, Ramaphosa resigned from politics in 1996 and became well known as
1575-480: The South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Contrary to presidential systems around the world, the president of South Africa is elected by the Parliament of South Africa rather than by the people directly. They are thus answerable to it in theory and able to influence legislation in practice as head of the majority party. The president is elected at the first sitting of Parliament after an election, and whenever
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#17328697122291650-642: The South Sudanese civil war . Ramaphosa also continued to accept nominations to the National Executive Committee of the ANC: at the 50th National Conference in 1997, he received the most votes of any candidate; and at the 51st National Conference in 2002, he received the second-most. Ahead of the 52nd National Conference in 2007, he denied persistent rumours that he intended to join the race to replace Mbeki as ANC president; that year, he ranked 30th on
1725-764: The Terrorism Act, 1967 , for organising pro- Frelimo rallies. In 1976 he was detained again, following the unrest in Soweto, and held for six months at John Vorster Square under the Terrorism Act. After his release, he became a law clerk for a Johannesburg firm of attorneys and continued with his legal studies through correspondence with the University of South Africa (UNISA), where he obtained his Bachelor of Procurationis degree (B. Proc.) in 1981. After completing his legal qualifications and obtaining his degree, Ramaphosa joined
1800-587: The deputy president of the African National Congress and the Premier of Mpumalanga , David Mabuza , as the country's Deputy President . On 8 May 2019, the African National Congress led by President Ramaphosa won 57.50% of the vote in the 2019 South African general election . Ramaphosa was subsequently elected unopposed to his first full term as president by the National Assembly on 22 May 2019. As Ramaphosa had previously been elected as president to fill
1875-527: The first fully democratic elections in 1994, he became a Member of Parliament (MP) and was elected the chairperson of its Constitutional Assembly on 24 May 1994, a central role in Mandela's Government of National Unity . He was also re-elected, unopposed, as ANC Secretary-General at the party's 49th National Conference in December 1994. However, in 1996, he resigned from ANC office and from Parliament and announced his retreat from politics, reportedly because he
1950-511: The speaker of the National Assembly . The president is the head of state , head of government and commander-in-chief of the South African National Defence Force . The rights, responsibilities and remuneration of the president are enumerated in Chapter V of the Constitution of South Africa and subsequent amendments and laws passed by the Parliament of South Africa . The executive powers of
2025-459: The 400-member house. Following President Jacob Zuma's resignation in February 2018, Ramaphosa was elected unopposed as President of South Africa by the National Assembly on 15 February 2018. Ramaphosa took his oath of office in the presidential guesthouse, Tuynhuys , by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng . Markets rallied strongly the day after Ramaphosa assumed the presidency with stocks rising and
2100-501: The ANC presidency in 2017, at the expiry of Zuma's term. Although he received the NUM's endorsement as early as September 2016, his campaign did not begin until April 2017. Under the banner #CR17 Siyavuma, Ramaphosa ran on anti-corruption platform, with an emphasis on economic policies conducive to industrialisation and investment. He was endorsed by Cosatu and the SACP; by the provincial leadership of
2175-452: The ANC's 54th National Conference on 18 December 2017, he was elected president of the ANC. Two months later, the day after Zuma resigned on 14 February 2018, the National Assembly (NA) elected Ramaphosa as president of South Africa. He began his first full term as president in May 2019 following the ANC's victory in the 2019 general election . While president, Ramaphosa served as chairperson of
2250-457: The ANC's Northern Cape , Eastern Cape , and Gauteng provinces; and by politicians including education minister Angie Motshekga , former finance minister Pravin Gordhan , Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini , and former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu . Ramaphosa's primary opponent was Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma , who had the endorsement of Zuma, her ex-husband. On 18 December 2017, he was elected
2325-538: The Act allowed someone suspected of involvement in terrorism —which was very broadly defined as anything that might "endanger the maintenance of law and order"—to be detained for a 60-day period (which could be renewed) without trial on the authority of a senior police officer. Since there was no requirement to release information on who was being held, people subject to the Act tended to disappear . The death of Steve Biko in police custody in 1977, while being detained under
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2400-464: The Act, was a particular cause célèbre . It is estimated that approximately 80 people died while being detained under the Act. The poem 'In Detention' was written by Chris van Wyk as a protest to the seemingly unexplainable deaths at the John Vorster Square , supposedly at the hands of police brutality . Section 7: This section ensured that when someone was arrested and brought to trial,
2475-444: The Act; and Short title. Section 1: This section of the Act provides essential definitions needed to understand the document including terms such as "commissioner", "minister", and "republic". Section 2: The purpose of section 2 is to define exactly what terrorism is. Terrorism was defined as any activity aimed at disrupting law and order, or any action that encouraged others to engage in such acts. Section 3: Section 3 of
2550-615: The Acting National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) following the ruling by the Constitutional Court that Director Shaun Abrahams had been appointed unlawfully by the former president, Jacob Zuma . South Africa made world headlines because of attacks against foreign nationals within the borders of the country, with many South Africans blaming foreign nationals for the country's socio-economic issues. President of South Africa The president of South Africa
2625-726: The Armed Forces Inter-Faith Service at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley and made his first public speech as the president of South Africa. On 26 February 2018, Ramaphosa, who had inherited Jacob Zuma 's cabinet, reshuffled cabinet for the first time removing many of the cabinet members who had been controversial through the Zuma era and who had close links to the Gupta family . Ramaphosa also named
2700-674: The McDonald's franchise agreement and a coal-mining partnership with Glencore . During a visit to Uganda in 2004, Ramaphosa became interested in the Ankole breed of cattle . Because of inadequate disease control measures in Uganda, the South African government denied him permission to import any of the breed. Instead, Ramaphosa purchased 43 cows from Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and shipped them to Kenya, where they were artificially inseminated ;
2775-631: The National Party government of P. W. Botha , Ramaphosa took a leading role in what became known as the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM). Ramaphosa has claimed that he is a committed socialist. After the ANC was unbanned in early 1990, Ramaphosa became increasingly close with the organisation. In January 1990, he accompanied released ANC political prisoners to the ANC headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia ; and, later, that year, he served as chairman of
2850-681: The National Reception Committee, which coordinated arrangements for Nelson Mandela 's release from prison, including concomitant celebratory rallies. Ramaphosa was elected Secretary-General of the ANC at the party's 48th National Conference in Durban in July 1991, and subsequently became head of the ANC's delegation to the negotiations that ended apartheid . He was also a visiting professor of law at Stanford University in October 1991. Following
2925-777: The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), and in December Ramaphosa became its first secretary. Ramaphosa was the conference organiser in the preparations leading to the formation of the Congress of the South African Trade Union (COSATU). He delivered a keynote address at Cosatu's launch rally in Durban in December 1985. In March 1986, he was part of COSATU's delegation which met the African National Congress in Lusaka, Zambia. Ramaphosa
3000-458: The President of the ANC at the party's 54th National Conference , defeating Dlamini-Zuma by 2,440 votes to 2,261. In his first speech as ANC leader, Ramaphosa pledged to stamp out corruption in the party. He subsequently spearheaded what he said was a campaign to "renew" the ANC internally and to restore its integrity and public image. Among other things, this campaign entailed the implementation of
3075-421: The act extended prosecution not only to those who committed the offense but also to anyone found to be assisting, even if they were not directly involved. Conviction under this section could result in a prison sentence of up to five years or, in some cases, the death penalty. Section 4 and 5: This section outlines who has authority over crimes that directly violate the terrorism act. Section 6: Section 6 of
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3150-543: The advice of the Judicial Service Commission . The president plays a role in the formation of legislation. The president can sign bills into laws or veto legislation (subject to an override), refer bills back to Parliament or to the Constitutional Court, or call for a referendum. The president summons parliament, and often delivers a State of the Nation Address at the beginning of each session. The president
3225-454: The election. Upon election, the president immediately resigns their seat for the duration of the presidential term. The president may be removed either by a motion of no-confidence or an impeachment trial . A number of manifestations of the office of president have existed. Aspects of these offices exist within the presidency today. The executive leadership of the British colonies of Natal and
3300-589: The embryos were then removed and shipped to South Africa, to be transferred to quarantined cows. As of August 2017, Ramaphosa had 100 Ankole breeding cows at his Ntaba Nyoni farm in Mpumalanga . That year, he co-wrote a book about the breed, Cattle of the Ages: Stories, and Portraits of the Ankole Cattle of Southern Africa . His resignation from politics notwithstanding, Ramaphosa occasionally accepted positions in
3375-586: The first few years. The Terrorism Act of 1967 comprises ten sections, each addressing specific categories: Definitions; The Meaning of Terrorism; Harboring, Concealing, or Assisting Terrorists; Jurisdiction and venue; Trial Procedures for Offenses under the act; Detention of Terrorists and Other Persons for Interrogation; the Legal Process in criminal proceedings; Trial initiation by the Attorney General or Acting Attorney General; Commencement and Application of
3450-406: The government, as was the case in many African countries. The presidential term is five years, with a limit of two terms. Thus the electoral system attempts (at least on paper) to prevent the accumulation of power in the president as occurred during Apartheid and as is the case currently in many other African countries. According to chapter five of the constitution , the president can only exercise
3525-418: The judiciary retained some degree of oversight, preventing security forces from having complete control. This section is still enacted. Section 8: Section 8 required the consent of the attorney general for any trial related to the terrorism act to proceed. Section 9: This section explains how the Act came into operation and where it is applied. Section 10: Section 10 specifies the official title of
3600-415: The leader of the largest party, which has been the African National Congress since the first multiracial election was held on 27 April 1994. The Constitution limits the president's time in office to two five-year terms. The first president to be elected under the new constitution was Nelson Mandela . The incumbent is Cyril Ramaphosa , who was elected by the National Assembly on 15 February 2018 following
3675-454: The list of most popular NEC candidates. Ramaphosa made his return to political leadership in 2012, ahead of the ANC's 53rd National Conference , when he received nominations to become ANC Deputy President. On 20 May 2012, Derek Hanekom , an ANC MP, publicly encouraged Ramaphosa to run for the ANC presidency, saying, "We need leaders of comrade Cyril's calibre. I know Cyril is very good at business, but I really wish he would put all his money in
3750-570: The lives of over 100 since the start of 2018. In February 2018, South Africa's parliament voted 241–83 to begin amending the "property clause" in the constitution to allow the expropriation of land without compensation. On 19 March 2018, Ramaphosa suspended Tom Moyane as the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service after Moyane had refused to step down. Under his leadership, the African National Congress has pushed for
3825-551: The matter between Zuma's administration and representatives of labour and business. The proposal was approved by cabinet in November 2017. In July 2014, Ramaphosa called for unity in the country after Julius Malema argued that the Afrikaans portion of the national anthem should be scrapped. Ramaphosa said, "We are about building a nation and we must extend a hand of friendship, a hand of continued reconciliation to those who feel that
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#17328697122293900-591: The mineworkers in one of the biggest strikes ever in South African history. In December 1988, Ramaphosa and other prominent members of the Soweto community met Soweto's mayor to discuss the rent boycott crisis. In 1985, the NUM broke away from CUSA and helped to establish the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). When COSATU joined forces with the United Democratic Front (UDF) political movement against
3975-424: The national anthem does not represent them any longer, and it can happen on both sides". Late in Zuma's term, Ramaphosa also began to address publicly the widespread allegations of corruption in Zuma's administration. In 2018, Ramaphosa, in Zuma's stead, led South Africa's delegation to the World Economic Forum in Davos , to promote investment and business in South Africa. His other official trips abroad included
4050-426: The new step-aside rule to suspend ANC leaders accused of corruption. This, in turn, led to a confrontation with ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule , who, upon his suspension from the party in May 2021, attempted to retaliate by suspending Ramaphosa, accusing him of irregularities in the financing of the CR2017 campaign. Magashule's attempt had no legal force because of his own suspension. In December 2022, Ramaphosa
4125-458: The other; however, he said that he could not be an effective mediator without "the trust and confidence of all parties" and that he did not wish to become an obstacle to the negotiations. He therefore withdrew from the talks on 4 February. However, he returned to a peacemaking role in 2014, when – in his capacity as Deputy Chairperson of the National Planning Commission – he served as the South African President's Special Envoy to South Sudan during
4200-409: The powers of the presidential office while within the Republic of South Africa . The president may appoint an acting president when travelling outside the country or unable to fulfill the duties of the office. A presidential vacancy should be filled first by the deputy president , then a Cabinet minister selected by the president, thereafter a Cabinet minister selected by the Cabinet, and finally by
4275-455: The president, and the roles that come with it, were established by chapter five of the Constitution of South Africa. South Africa has a distinctive system for the election of its president. Unlike other former British colonies and dominions who have adopted a parliamentary republican form of government and those that follow the Westminster system , South Africa's president is both head of state and head of government and commander-in-chief of
4350-427: The public eye, both abroad and in South Africa. He became the first Vice Chairman of the Commonwealth Business Council , and, in 1998, the Chairman of South Africa's BEE Commission. In 2000, he was appointed to the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning as an arms inspector, responsible for supervising the decommissioning of Irish Republican Army armaments in Northern Ireland . And, in April 2010, he
4425-468: The rand reaching its firmest since early 2015. Government bonds also increased in strength. On 16 February 2018, Ramaphosa gave his first State of the Nation Address as the president of South Africa , the first time in a democratic South Africa where the president delivered his State of the Nation Address without a deputy president. Ramaphosa emphasised the need to grow the economy of South Africa , increase tourism and youth employment, as well as reduce
4500-409: The regime. For instance, the government detained hundreds of members of the South West African People's Organization (SWAPO), a former independence movement in South West Africa. The enforcement of the act allocated security forces a large amount of control, and many individuals detained by police during this period had reported excessive use of force. At least 15 people died while in detainment during
4575-401: The republic are vested in the president, who appoints various officials to positions listed in the Constitution, the most significant of which are the Cabinet ministers and justices of the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court . The president's Cabinet implements and enforces the Constitution and laws and carries out the president's political objectives. Judges are appointed on
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#17328697122294650-418: The resignation of Jacob Zuma . Under the interim constitution (valid from 1994–96), there was a Government of National Unity , in which a member of Parliament (MP) from the largest opposition party was entitled to a position as deputy president . Along with Thabo Mbeki, the last apartheid president, F. W. de Klerk also served as deputy president, in his capacity as the leader of the National Party which
4725-428: The size of the Cabinet. In this speech, Ramaphosa also focused on the importance of keeping Mandela's legacy alive. Ramaphosa's speech was met with mostly positive reviews from opposition parties saying that his speech was positive and that it would bring about change, but that they would hold him accountable. On 17 February 2018, Ramaphosa, as commander in chief of the South African National Defence Force , attended
4800-416: The vacancy left by the resignation of his predecessor, he is constitutionally eligible to serve two full terms. At the 2020 AU summit, Ramaphosa expressed support for the African Continental Free Trade Area and described it as a major driver for reigniting industrialization and paving the way for Africa's integration into the global market. Ramaphosa also stated that the free trade agreement will make Africa
4875-482: The vacancy occurs. The Constitution has thus prescribed a system combining both parliamentary and presidential systems in a unique manner. Only Botswana and a few other countries use a similar system. Between 1996 and 2003 Israel combined the two systems in an opposite way, with direct elections for the post of prime minister . Although the presidency is the key institution, it is hedged about with numerous checks and balances that prevent its total dominance over
4950-425: Was a law of the South African Apartheid regime that was put in place to respond to violent resistant from people, groups and officials that the apartheid regime opposed. It categorized participation in any form of terrorist activity as a capital crime. The act was repealed with the implementation of the Internal Security Act of 1982; however, Section 7 remained in effect. The act was originally put in place due to
5025-584: Was announced that the ANC's 55th National Conference had elected Ramaphosa to a second term as president of the ANC. On 14 June 2024, the National Assembly of South Africa elected Ramaphosa to a second term as president of South Africa. Ramaphosa was born in Soweto , Johannesburg , on 17 November 1952, to Venda parents. He is the second of the three children to Erdmuth and retired policeman Samuel Ramaphosa. He attended Tshilidzi Primary School and Sekano Ntoane High School in Soweto. In 1971, he matriculated from Mphaphuli High School in Sibasa , Venda where he
5100-689: Was appointed by President Jacob Zuma to the National Planning Commission , where he served as deputy chairperson to Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel . In the 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis , which followed the disputed re-election of President Mwai Kibaki in December 2007, Ramaphosa was unanimously chosen by Kofi Annan 's mediation team to be the chief mediator in charge of long-term talks. However, Kibaki's government protested Ramaphosa's involvement, saying that he had business links with Kibaki's opponent Raila Odinga . According to Ramaphosa, Odinga had visited him in 2007, but he did not have any "special interest" that would lead him to favour one side or
5175-467: Was disappointed that Thabo Mbeki had been anointed Mandela's successor. After he resigned from politics, Ramaphosa became a businessman, taking advantage of the conducive environment provided by the new Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy. Among other positions, he was executive chairman of the Shanduka Group , a company he founded, which invested in mineral resources, energy, real estate, banking, insurance, and telecoms ( SEACOM ). By 2014, Shanduka
5250-488: Was elected as the first general secretary of the union, a position he held until he resigned in June 1991, following his election as secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC). Under his leadership, union membership grew from 6,000 in 1982 to 300,000 in 1992, giving it control of nearly half of the total black workforce in the South African mining industry. As general secretary, he, James Motlatsi (president of NUM), and Elijah Barayi (vice-president of NUM) also led
5325-443: Was elected head of the Student Christian Movement. He subsequently registered to study law at the University of the North (Turfloop) in Limpopo Province in 1972. While at university, Ramaphosa became involved in student politics and joined the South African Students Organisation (SASO) and the Black People's Convention (BPC) . This resulted in him being detained in solitary confinement for eleven months in 1974 under Section 6 of
5400-560: Was made Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly in terms of section 91(4) of the Constitution , a role which involved coordinating between Parliament and Zuma's cabinet . On 3 June, Zuma also appointed him the Chairman of the National Planning Commission, with Jeff Radebe as his deputy. In addition, Ramaphosa was responsible for developing a proposal to implement a national minimum wage , leading consultation on
5475-695: Was re-elected leader of the ANC, running against Zweli Mkhize, for a second five-year term. The next parliamentary general election which took place in 2024 saw the ANC lose its parliamentary majority. Despite this, Ramaphosa would secure a third term as president in June 2024 after the ANC secured a coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) parties. Ramaphosa received 283 votes to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema ’s 44 in
5550-407: Was the second-largest party in the new Parliament. But De Klerk later resigned and went into opposition with his party. A voluntary coalition government continues to exist under the new constitution (adopted in 1996), although there have been no appointments of opposition politicians to the post of deputy president since. The president is required to be a member of the National Assembly at the time of
5625-471: Was worth more than R 20-billion, and the Ramaphosa family's Tshivhase Trust was its majority shareholder . Ramaphosa was also a chairman of Bidvest , MTN , and from March 2007, Mondi , a leading international paper and packaging group. His other non-executive directorships included Macsteel Holdings, Alexander Forbes , SABMiller , Lonmin , Anglo American , and Standard Bank . In 2011, Ramaphosa paid for
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