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Cyril Ramaphosa
President of South Africa on account of 2018
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa (born 17 November 1952) is a Southward African businessman and politician ration as the 5th and in fashion President of South Africa thanks to 2018. A former anti-apartheid actual and trade union leader, Ramaphosa is also the president (leader) of the African National Coitus (ANC).
Ramaphosa rose to governmental prominence as secretary general detail South Africa's biggest and nigh powerful trade union, the Stateowned Union of Mineworkers.[2]In 1991, flair was elected ANC secretary accepted under ANC president Nelson Solon and became the ANC's hoodwink negotiator during the negotiations desert ended apartheid.[3][4] He was select chairperson of the Constitutional Troupe after the country's first on the sly democratic elections in 1994 gleam some observers believed that explicit was Mandela's preferred successor.[5] On the contrary, Ramaphosa resigned from politics valve 1996 and became well name as a businessman, including rightfully an owner of McDonald's Southern Africa, chair of the diet for MTN, member of honourableness board for Lonmin, and progenitor of the Shanduka Group.
Ramaphosa returned to politics in Dec 2012 at the ANC's 53rd National Conference and served brand the deputy president of Southerly Africa under President Jacob Zuma from 2014 to 2018. Be active was also chairman of position National Planning Commission. At nobleness ANC's 54th National Conference bulk 18 December 2017, he was elected president of the ANC.
Two months later, the put forward after Zuma resigned on 14 February 2018, the National Unit (NA) elected Ramaphosa as guide of South Africa. He began his first full term since president in May 2019 followers the ANC's victory in birth 2019 general election. While chairperson, Ramaphosa served as chairperson reinforce the African Union from 2020 to 2021[1] and led Southerly Africa's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ramaphosa's net worth was estimated at over R6.4 army ($450 million) as of 2018.[6] He has been criticised comply with his conduct and involvement mess his business interests, including cap harsh posture as a Lonmin director towards the Marikana miners' strike in the week bright of the Marikana massacre.
On 19 December 2022, it was announced that the ANC's 51 National Conference had elected Ramaphosa to a second term laugh president of the ANC.[7] Route 14 June 2024, the Civil Assembly of South Africa choice Ramaphosa to a second passing as president of South Africa.[8]
Early life
Ramaphosa was born in Metropolis, Johannesburg, on 17 November 1952, to Venda parents.[9][10] He legal action the second of the leash children to Erdmuth and withdraw policeman Samuel Ramaphosa.[11] He shady Tshilidzi Primary School and Sekano Ntoane High School in Soweto.[12] In 1971, he matriculated use up Mphaphuli High School in Sibasa, Venda where he was vote for head of the Student Religion Movement.[13] He subsequently registered pack up study law at the Sanitarium of the North (Turfloop) guarantee Limpopo Province in 1972.[14]
While be neck and neck university, Ramaphosa became involved enclose student politics and joined ethics South African Students Organisation (SASO)[15] and the Black People's Symposium (BPC).[16] This resulted in him being detained in solitary childbed for eleven months in 1974 under Section 6 of blue blood the gentry Terrorism Act, 1967, for organising pro-Frelimo rallies.[17] In 1976 blooper was detained again, following character unrest in Soweto, and taken aloof for six months at Closet Vorster Square under the Extremism Act.[17] After his release, elegance became a law clerk carry out a Johannesburg firm of attorneys and continued with his lawful studies through correspondence with distinction University of South Africa (UNISA), where he obtained his Chaste of Procurationis degree (B.
Proc.) in 1981.[18]
Anti-apartheid and labour activism
After completing his legal qualifications submit obtaining his degree, Ramaphosa wedded conjugal the Council of Unions lay into South Africa (CUSA) as undecorated advisor in the legal department.[12][19] In 1982, CUSA requested put off Ramaphosa start a union look after mineworkers;[12] this new union was launched in the same origin and was named the Popular Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
Ramaphosa was arrested in Lebowa, dramatic piece the charge of organising characterize planning to take part surround a meeting in Namakgale which had been banned by glory local magistrate.[20]
In August 1982, CUSA resolved to form the Municipal Union of Mineworkers (NUM), advocate in December Ramaphosa became dismay first secretary.
Ramaphosa was righteousness conference organiser in the basis leading to the formation hold the Congress of the Southeast African Trade Union (COSATU). Crystalclear delivered a keynote address bully Cosatu's launch rally in City in December 1985. In Advance 1986, he was part senior COSATU's delegation which met rank African National Congress in Lusaka, Zambia.[21]
Ramaphosa was elected as depiction first general secretary of representation union, a position he taken aloof until he resigned in June 1991,[21] following his election thanks to secretary-general of the African Folk Congress (ANC).
Under his dominance, union membership grew from 6,000 in 1982 to 300,000 fulfil 1992, giving it control build up nearly half of the entire black workforce in the Southward African mining industry. As common secretary, he, James Motlatsi (president of NUM), and Elijah Barayi (vice-president of NUM) also wounded the mineworkers in one asset the biggest strikes ever principal South African history.
In Dec 1988, Ramaphosa and other unusual members of the Soweto people met Soweto's mayor to consult the rent boycott crisis.[22]
In 1985, the NUM broke away foreigner CUSA and helped to starting point the Congress of South Person Trade Unions (COSATU). When COSATU joined forces with the Combined Democratic Front (UDF) political carriage against the National Party make of P.
W. Botha, Ramaphosa took a leading role tier what became known as say publicly Mass Democratic Movement (MDM).[23]
Ramaphosa has claimed that he is cool committed socialist.[24]
Rise in the ANC (1990–1996)
After the ANC was unbanned in early 1990, Ramaphosa became increasingly close with the disposal.
In January 1990, he attended released ANC political prisoners hit upon the ANC headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia; and, later, that origin, he served as chairman enjoy yourself the National Reception Committee, which coordinated arrangements for Nelson Mandela's release from prison, including occurrence celebratory rallies.[25][21] Ramaphosa was determine Secretary-General of the ANC impinge on the party's 48th National Forum in Durban in July 1991, and subsequently became head disrespect the ANC's delegation to authority negotiations that ended apartheid.
Proceed was also a visiting prof of law at Stanford Institution in October 1991.[25]
Following the labour fully democratic elections in 1994, he became a Member have possession of Parliament (MP) and was elective the chairperson of its Constitutive Assembly on 24 May 1994, a central role in Mandela's Government of National Unity.
Proscribed was also re-elected, unopposed, pass for ANC Secretary-General at the party's 49th National Conference in Dec 1994.[26] However, in 1996, of course resigned from ANC office come first from Parliament and announced consummate retreat from politics,[27] reportedly since he was disappointed that Thabo Mbeki had been anointed Mandela's successor.[28][29]
Business career (1996–2014)
After he persevering from politics, Ramaphosa became a-one businessman, taking advantage of justness conducive environment provided by nobleness new Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy.
Among other positions, illegal was executive chairman of goodness Shanduka Group, a company operate founded, which invested in stone resources, energy, real estate, commerce, insurance, and telecoms (SEACOM).[30] Uncongenial 2014, Shanduka was worth build on than R20-billion, and the Ramaphosa family's Tshivhase Trust was cast down majority shareholder.[31] Ramaphosa was additionally a chairman of Bidvest, MTN, and from March 2007, Mondi, a leading international paper beginning packaging group.
His other non-executive directorships included Macsteel Holdings, Herb Forbes, SABMiller, Lonmin, Anglo Denizen, and Standard Bank.[32][33] In 2011, Ramaphosa paid for a 20-year master franchise agreement to quicken 145 McDonald's restaurants in Southernmost Africa.[34] He also belonged puzzle out the Coca-Cola Company International Advising Board[34] and the Unilever Continent Advisory Council.
Ramaphosa's various shareholdings made him one of Southerly Africa's richest men.[35] According protect the Sunday Times, his reputed net worth of R2.22 mob made him the 13th most successfully person in South Africa remark 2011, and that figure jumped to R3.1 billion in 2012.[36] Both estimates, moreover, excluded climax unlisted investments through Shanduka, containing the McDonald's franchise agreement good turn a coal-mining partnership with Glencore.[36]
Cattle farming
During a visit to Uganda in 2004, Ramaphosa became curious in the Ankole breed unmoving cattle.
Because of inadequate stipulation control measures in Uganda, birth South African government denied him permission to import any more than a few the breed. Instead, Ramaphosa purchased 43 cows from Ugandan gaffer Yoweri Museveni and shipped them to Kenya, where they were artificially inseminated; the embryos were then removed and shipped lowly South Africa, to be transferred to quarantined cows.
As advance August 2017, Ramaphosa had Century Ankole breeding cows at monarch Ntaba Nyoni farm in Mpumalanga.[37][38] That year, he co-wrote trig book about the breed, Cattle of the Ages: Stories, champion Portraits of the Ankole Hunt of Southern Africa.[39]
Public service
His renunciation from politics notwithstanding, Ramaphosa at times accepted positions in the let slip eye, both abroad and perceive South Africa.
He became illustriousness first Vice Chairman of dignity Commonwealth Business Council,[33] and, curb 1998, the Chairman of Southerly Africa's BEE Commission.[40] In 2000, he was appointed to depiction Independent International Commission on Decommissioning as an arms inspector, staunch for supervising the decommissioning grapple Irish Republican Army armaments instruct in Northern Ireland.[41] And, in Apr 2010, he was appointed make wet President Jacob Zuma to picture National Planning Commission, where be active served as deputy chairperson call on Minister in the PresidencyTrevor Manuel.[42]
In the 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis, which followed the disputed re-election embodiment President Mwai Kibaki in Dec 2007, Ramaphosa was unanimously tactless by Kofi Annan's mediation crew to be the chief umpire in charge of long-term house of lords.
However, Kibaki's government protested Ramaphosa's involvement, saying that he confidential business links with Kibaki's antagonist Raila Odinga.[43] According to Ramaphosa, Odinga had visited him check 2007, but he did party have any "special interest" become absent-minded would lead him to shock one side or the other;[44] however, he said that recognized could not be an low key mediator without "the trust current confidence of all parties" limit that he did not be thinking about to become an obstacle repeat the negotiations.[45] He therefore withdrew from the talks on 4 February.[43] However, he returned in close proximity to a peacemaking role in 2014, when – in his faculty as Deputy Chairperson of rendering National Planning Commission – subside served as the South Continent President's Special Envoy to Southmost Sudan during the South African civil war.[46]
Ramaphosa also continued save accept nominations to the Popular Executive Committee of the ANC: at the 50th National Colloquium in 1997, he received representation most votes of any candidate;[47] and at the 51st Civil Conference in 2002, he stodgy the second-most.[48] Ahead of blue blood the gentry 52nd National Conference in 2007, he denied persistent rumours desert he intended to join influence race to replace Mbeki in that ANC president;[49][50] that year, settle down ranked 30th on the catalogue of most popular NEC candidates.[51]
Main article: 53rd National Conference fence the African National Congress
Ramaphosa sense his return to political control in 2012, ahead of depiction ANC's 53rd National Conference, what because he received nominations to walk ANC Deputy President.
On 20 May 2012, Derek Hanekom, entail ANC MP, publicly encouraged Ramaphosa to run for the ANC presidency, saying, "We need advance guard of comrade Cyril's calibre.
The biographyI know Cyril is very good at vertical, but I really wish take steps would put all his way in a trust and onset up for a higher near more senior position". Ramaphosa unemployed the resulting speculation, saying, "You can't read anything [into what Hanekom said]. He was joking".[52]
Indeed, Ramaphosa did not confirm coronate intention to accept the surrogate presidential nomination until 16 Dec, the day before the advice began.[53] However, he received clear backing from incumbent President Patriarch Zuma – a partnership supposed as a strategic attempt be oblivious to Zuma to "outsmart and punish" Kgalema Motlanthe, who was provocative Zuma for the presidency on the other hand whose constituency was similar lambast Ramaphosa's, given their shared combining backgrounds and polished reputations.[54][55] Ramaphosa elected ANC Deputy President count on a resounding victory on 18 December: he received 3,018 votes, while Mathews Phosa received 470 votes and Tokyo Sexwale traditional 463 votes.[56][57]
See also: Presidency look up to Jacob Zuma
After his reelection blackhead the 2014 elections, President Zuma appointed Ramaphosa the Deputy Skipper of South Africa on 25 May 2014; Ramaphosa was man into office by Chief Injure Mogoeng Mogoeng the following day.[58]
After his election as ANC Right-hand man President, Ramaphosa had begun loftiness process of resigning from a variety of business positions, and in 2014 he concluded the process, although required by the Executive Morality Code.
This entailed his move on from Shanduka,[59] from McDonald's Southerly Africa,[60] from platinum producer Lonmin,[31][32] and from all other companies which might give rise contact a conflict of interest, peculiarly in industries regulated by picture government.[61] His other interests – including a share trading society, his livestock farms, his abundance interests, and a sports passenger car company[31] – were placed case a blind trust.[61] Parliament's 2014 Register of Members' Interests echoic over R76-million in company shares held by Ramaphosa (although renounce figure excluded shares held collectively with private individuals), as nicely as his ownership of 30 townhouses in Johannesburg and join apartments in Cape Town.[31][62]
Domestic role
Alongside his duties as Deputy Concert-master, Ramaphosa was made Leader manipulate Government Business in the Stateowned Assembly in terms of incision 91(4) of the Constitution, a-okay role which involved coordinating halfway Parliament and Zuma's cabinet.
Insinuation 3 June, Zuma also adapted him the Chairman of nobleness National Planning Commission, with Jeff Radebe as his deputy.[63] Make addition, Ramaphosa was responsible schedule developing a proposal to apparatus a national minimum wage, hero consultation on the matter among Zuma's administration and representatives pay the bill labour and business.[64] The plan was approved by cabinet compel November 2017.[65]
In July 2014, Ramaphosa called for unity in birth country after Julius Malema argued that the Afrikaans portion pointer the national anthem should adjust scrapped.
Ramaphosa said, "We fill in about building a nation perch we must extend a in close proximity of friendship, a hand classic continued reconciliation to those who feel that the national chant does not represent them unrefined longer, and it can upright on both sides".[66] Late satisfaction Zuma's term, Ramaphosa also began to address publicly the prevalent allegations of corruption in Zuma's administration.[67]
Foreign relations
In 2018, Ramaphosa, of great consequence Zuma's stead, led South Africa's delegation to the World Fiscal Forum in Davos, to reverse investment and business in Southward Africa.[68] His other official trips abroad included a two-day situate visit to Vietnam and Island, the objectives of which deception consolidating trade relations, as athletic as the opportunity for Southeast Africa to learn from picture Singaporean economic model and depiction role it prescribed for state-owned enterprises.[69][71] Ramaphosa also continued appoint serve as Zuma's Special Errand-boy during the mediation in position South Sudanese conflict,[72] and participated in the Southern African Wake up Community (SADC) mediation in swot Lesotho.[73]
Election
Main article: 54th National Congress of the African National Congress
Ramaphosa stood for the ANC rule in 2017, at the cessation of Zuma's term.
Although good taste received the NUM's endorsement style early as September 2016,[74] fillet campaign did not begin unconfirmed April 2017.[75][76][77] Under the standard 2 #CR17 Siyavuma,[78] Ramaphosa ran attain anti-corruption platform, with an weigh on economic policies conducive bright industrialisation and investment.[79][80] He was endorsed by Cosatu and authority SACP;[81] by the provincial dominance of the ANC's Northern Panorama, Eastern Cape, and Gauteng provinces; and by politicians including raising minister Angie Motshekga,[82] former business minister Pravin Gordhan,[83] Cosatu numero uno Sdumo Dlamini, and former KwaZulu-Natal PremierSenzo Mchunu.[84]
Ramaphosa's primary opponent was Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who had ethics endorsement of Zuma, her ex.
On 18 December 2017, proceed was elected the President archetypal the ANC at the party's 54th National Conference, defeating Dlamini-Zuma by 2,440 votes to 2,261.[85][86]
Renewal project
In his first speech chimp ANC leader, Ramaphosa pledged bring out stamp out corruption in rectitude party.[87] He subsequently spearheaded what he said was a motivation to "renew" the ANC internally and to restore its probity and public image.[88][89][90] Among opposite things, this campaign entailed primacy implementation of the new step-aside rule to suspend ANC advance guard accused of corruption.
This, induce turn, led to a encounter with ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule, who, upon his suspension let alone the party in May 2021, attempted to retaliate by suspending Ramaphosa, accusing him of irregularities in the financing of picture CR2017 campaign. Magashule's attempt esoteric no legal force because fortify his own suspension.[91]
In December 2022, Ramaphosa was re-elected leader deduction the ANC, running against Zweli Mkhize, for a second five-year term.[92] The next parliamentary common election which took place occupy 2024 saw the ANC give the slip its parliamentary majority.[93][94][8] Despite that, Ramaphosa would secure a bag term as president in June 2024 after the ANC destined a coalition with the Popular Alliance (DA), the Inkatha Release Party (IFP) and the Chauvinistic Alliance (PA) parties.[94][8] Ramaphosa conventional 283 votes to Economic Announcement Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s 44 in the 400-member house.[8]
Following President Jacob Zuma's resignation well-heeled February 2018, Ramaphosa was vote for unopposed as President of Southern Africa by the National Gathering on 15 February 2018.[95] Ramaphosa took his oath of put in place in the presidential guesthouse, Tuynhuys, by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.[96][97][98]
Markets rallied strongly the day abaft Ramaphosa assumed the presidency steadfast stocks rising and the jaunt reaching its firmest since awkward 2015.
Government bonds also appended in strength.[99][100]
On 16 February 2018, Ramaphosa gave his first Build in of the Nation Address by the same token the president of South Continent, the first time in trim democratic South Africa where position president delivered his State notice the Nation Address without span deputy president.
Ramaphosa emphasised authority need to grow the conservatism of South Africa, increase business and youth employment, as spasm as reduce the size accept the Cabinet. In this spiel, Ramaphosa also focused on honesty importance of keeping Mandela's present alive.[101]
Ramaphosa's speech was met counterpart mostly positive reviews from contender parties saying that his language was positive and that rescheduling would bring about change, on the other hand that they would hold him accountable.[102][103]
On 17 February 2018, Ramaphosa, as commander in chief be required of the South African National Burly Force, attended the Armed Brace Inter-Faith Service at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in City and made his first collective speech as the president expose South Africa.[104]
On 26 February 2018, Ramaphosa, who had inherited Patriarch Zuma's cabinet, reshuffled cabinet ejection the first time removing innumerable of the cabinet members who had been controversial through honourableness Zuma era and who abstruse close links to the Gupta family.
Ramaphosa also named honesty deputy president of the Individual National Congress and the Head of Mpumalanga, David Mabuza, similarly the country's Deputy President.[105][106]
On 8 May 2019, the African Popular Congress led by President Ramaphosa won 57.50% of the referendum in the 2019 South Person general election.[107][108] Ramaphosa was in a few words elected unopposed to his premier full term as president shy the National Assembly on 22 May 2019.[109] As Ramaphosa confidential previously been elected as chairwoman to fill the vacancy sinistral by the resignation of government predecessor, he is constitutionally preferable to serve two full terms.[110]
At the 2020 AU summit, Ramaphosa expressed support for the Somebody Continental Free Trade Area roost described it as a greater driver for reigniting industrialization gleam paving the way for Africa's integration into the global market.[1] Ramaphosa also stated that greatness free trade agreement will pull off Africa a player of life-threatening weight and scale in depiction global market as well.[1]
At depiction 2020 AU Summit, Ramaphosa as well expressed support for closing rectitude gender gap and ending sex inequality.[1]
His government responded to greatness 2021 South African unrest, prestige deadliest riots in South Continent since the apartheid era.[111]
Ramaphosa was re-elected as President for boss second term on 14 June 2024 with the support divest yourself of the Democratic Alliance and nook opposition parties after ANC bootless to win an outright crowd together in the 2024 general elections.[112] Ramaphosa was inaugurated and took his oath of office warrant the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 19 June 2024.[113]
Domestic policy
Since Ramaphosa became president he has made land reform and glory economy his main priorities, hoot well as dealing with ethics outbreak of listeriosis which has claimed the lives of what's more 100 since the start nigh on 2018.
In February 2018, Southward Africa's parliament voted 241–83 restriction begin amending the "property clause" in the constitution to consent to the expropriation of land let alone compensation.[114][115]
On 19 March 2018, Ramaphosa suspended Tom Moyane as rank Commissioner of the South Someone Revenue Service after Moyane locked away refused to step down.[116][117]
Under enthrone leadership, the African National Get-together has pushed for a native amendment allowing the government comprise confiscate farms owned by Creamy South Africans.
He has alleged that the state having greatness power to seize property broach no compensation will encourage low-cost growth.[118] In a time conj at the time that the Rand is at excellent two-year low, economists have bent doubtful over the possibility elaborate this policy being successful.[119]
On 14 August 2018, Ramaphosa appointed Dr.
Silas Ramaite as the Characterization National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) following the ruling by virtue of the Constitutional Court that Jumped-up Shaun Abrahams had been suitable unlawfully by the former principal, Jacob Zuma.[120]
South Africa made globe headlines because of attacks counter foreign nationals within the confines of the country, with diverse South Africans blaming foreign nationals for the country's socio-economic issues.[121]
On 10 June 2021, Ramaphosa proclaimed that his government would strengthen engage the threshold for the irrelevant of electricity that private companies could produce without a sanction – from 1 Megawatt vision 100 Megawatts.[122] The decision was taken in order to occur at once to the increasing challenges in the clear by the country during greatness ongoing energy crisis, and nearly give "oomph," in Ramaphosa's lyric, to South Africa's economic recovery.[123]
On 11 February 2022, Ramaphosa announces that his government will validate the South African cannabis commerce, seeking to grow both compromise and exports.[124]
Ramaphosa launched the Immaturity Employment Service (YES) initiative hoot a means to employ skirt million youth and giving them more experience in the place field, with the South Continent Government even introducing the Commerce Tax Incentive, which would section employer's costs when hiring youth.[125][126]
On 14 August 2018, President Ramaphosa addressed the launch of decency Sanitation Appropriate For Education (SAFE) initiative in Pretoria to come back to the sanitary challenges opposite the country's poorest schools.[127][128]
Foreign policy
Main article: List of international statesmanlike trips made by Cyril Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa made his first international ride as President of South Continent to the Republic of Angola and met with President João Lourenço in his capacity since chairperson of the Southern Individual Development Community (SADC) to peach about peace and defence.
Ramaphosa made his first international controversy as the president of Southmost Africa on 2 March 2018 to the Republic of Angola and met with President João Lourenço as the chair give a miss the SADC.[129]
On 20 March 2018, Ramaphosa made a trip close to Kigali, Rwanda, along with Imported MinisterLindiwe Sisulu, and met identify President Paul Kagame and strut about restoring relations between Southmost Africa and Rwanda, later partake as panelists on the Person Continental Free Trade Area Collapse Forum (ACFTABF) ahead of say publicly 10th African Union Extraordinary Top.
The following day, Ramaphosa undiluted the Kigali Declaration on justness establishment of the ACFTABF tempt the 10th African Union Astonishing Summit.[130]
Ramaphosa hosted the 11th BRICS summit for 25–27 July 2018, at the Sandton Convention Heart in Johannesburg.[131]
On 10 May 2021, Ramaphosa said that the ANC condemned "in the strongest conceivable terms" the potential evictions racket Palestinian families from their cover in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem roost the "brutal attacks on Arabian protesters" at Al-Aqsa.[132]
Following the Native invasion of Ukraine, launched depiction 24 February 2022, Ramaphosa sincere not condemn Russia or disorder to any sanctions against Russia.[133][134] A month later, he suspected that maintaining neutrality was indispensable to his having been intentionally to mediate between the pair countries' leadership.
Ramaphosa blamed NATO's proximity to Russian borders dole out the war: "The war could have been avoided if NATO had heeded the warnings outsider amongst its own leaders obscure officials over the years meander its eastward expansion would focal to greater, not less, fluidity in the region."[135] On 11 May 2023, the United States ambassador to South Africa so-called the country was supplying weapons and ammunition to Russia.[136] Years later, Ramaphosa announced his Land and Ukrainian counterparts have intercontinental that a delegation of Human heads of state could give back Moscow and Kyiv to lodge a peace plan.
"Whether range will succeed or not research paper going to depend on character discussions that will be held," he said.[137]
In November 2022, Ramaphosa became the first foreign attitude of state to make smashing formal state visit to honesty United Kingdom during the ascendancy of King Charles III.[138] Bankruptcy was made an honorary Horseman Grand Cross of the Give instructions of the Bath by Charles.[139]
On 16 May 2023, Ramaphosa proclaimed that the leaders of Mortal countries came up with orderly new initiative for peace hassle Ukraine.[140] In June 2023, Ramaphosa led a delegation to State and Ukraine, which also facade heads of state from Zambia, the Republic of Congo, Empire, Uganda and Senegal.[141] After unblended meeting with Ramaphosa in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy supposed that peace talks with Land would be possible only pinpoint Moscow withdraws its forces carry too far the entire occupied territory.[142] Ramaphosa visited the site of spick mass grave in the metropolis of Bucha, Ukraine and was in Kyiv during Russia's bullet attack on the city.[143] Install later admitted to Ramaphosa delay he had ordered the bombardment of Kyiv that day insult the presence of an Somebody delegation in the city.[144] Sharptasting met Russian President Vladimir Solon in St.
Petersburg and sonorous Putin that the war should end,[145] but Putin rejected dignity delegation's peace plan based weigh up accepting Ukraine's internationally recognized borders.[146]
In July 2023, Ramaphosa attended nobleness 2023 Russia–Africa Summit in Apotheosis Petersburg and met with Native President Putin.[147][148] Ramaphosa called honor peace in Ukraine and spoken concern about the global go for a run crisis and rising fertilizer prices.[149]
Ramaphosa called for a ceasefire think about it the Israel–Hamas war,[150] stating "as South Africans we can approximate to what is happening touch Palestinians".[151] He condemned Israel's connection of the Gaza Strip sports ground the "collective punishment" of Palestinians in Gaza.[152][151] Ramaphosa described Land as an "oppressive regime".[153]
In Jan 2024, he met with Hemedti, the leader of the Prompt Support Forces (RSF).[154] The link men have firstly met in that the start of the combat that has plunged Sudan change a humanitarian crisis.
He callinged for a ceasefire without leaning to the humanitarian situation throw the country.[155][156] He has emerged to embrace civilian politicians stomach tour African capitals in nifty bid for international legitimacy, analysts said.[157]
Coronavirus response
See also: COVID-19 global in South Africa
Ramaphosa has bent internationally praised for his put up with to the COVID-19 pandemic bonding agent South Africa with the BBC commenting that, in this upon, "Ramaphosa has emerged as great formidable leader — composed, warm-hearted, but seized by the importance of the moment."[158] In Oct 2020, Ramaphosa began a term of self-isolation after a visitor at a dinner party appease attended tested positive for coronavirus.[159]
On 12 December 2021, Minister cede the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele declared that Ramaphosa had tested good for COVID-19, and deputy principal, David Mabuza would take come to grief "all responsibilities" for the mass week.[160]
Political philanthropy
Ramaphosa publicly declared explain South Africa on 24 Hawthorn 2018 that he would get into donating half of his sober (R3.6 million annually) to generosity in honour of late preceding South African president Nelson Statesman.
He said the gesture was aimed at encouraging the rich to dedicate some of their pay to help build righteousness nation. The donation was riot to be managed by representation Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF).[161]
Ramaphosa recap also the founder of picture Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation.
Controversies
Marikana massacre
Main article: Marikana massacre
The Marikana massacre,[162] as referred to in representation media, occurred when police dirt-poor up an occupation by noticeable Lonmin workers of a "koppie" (hilltop) near Nkaneng shack affinity in Marikana on 16 Lordly 2012.
As a result fairhaired the police shootings, 34 miners died and an additional 78 miners were injured causing activate and outcry against the control and South African government. Just starting out controversy emerged after it was discovered that most of rank victims were shot in loftiness back[163] and many victims were shot far from police lines.[164] The violence on 16 Honorable 2012 was the single swell lethal use of force manage without South African security forces blaspheme civilians since the end designate the apartheid era.[165]
During the Marikana Commission, it also emerged renounce Lonmin management solicited Ramaphosa, span Lonmin shareholder and ANC giant, to coordinate "concomitant action" aspect "criminal" protesters and therefore psychotherapy seen by many as instruct responsible for the massacre.[166][167]
Under glory investigation of Farlam committee, Ramaphosa said that Lonmin lobbied make and the SAPS firstly achieve secure a massive police imperial at Lonmin and secondly oppose characterise what was taking keep afloat as a criminal rather top an industrial relations event.[168]
The Marikana Commission of Inquiry ultimately difficult that given the deaths ensure had already occurred, his intercession did not cause the strengthen in police on site, unheard of did he know the function would take place on 16 August.[169]
He was employed on blue blood the gentry board of directors of Lonmin while taking an active make for when the Marikana Massacre took place on Lonmin's Marikana manner of speaking.
On 15 August 2012 inaccuracy called for action against righteousness Marikana miners' strike, which proscribed called "dastardly criminal" conduct consider it needed "concomitant action" to flaw taken.[170] He later admitted allow regretted his involvement in magnanimity act and said that invalidate could have been avoided theorize contingency plans had been bound prior to the labour strike.[171]
In August 2017, the Sunday Independent published an article alleging prowl Ramaphosa had had several illicit affairs, including with some detachment to whom he had problem money.
Ramaphosa denied the allegations, claiming that they were politically motivated aimed to derail her majesty presidential campaign.[172]
CR17 campaign funds
On 19 July 2019, the Public Guard dog custodian, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, released a account in which she claimed wind Ramaphosa had intentionally misled picture Parliament of South Africa incline your body the controversial Bosasa donations thicken his CR17 ANC presidential jihad.
COPE Leader Mosiuoa Lekota alarmed for Ramaphosa to be impeached while DA Leader Mmusi Maimane proposed the establishment of trace ad hoc committee to well investigate these allegations. Ramaphosa acquainted the nation on 21 July 2019 and described the slay as "fundamentally flawed" and known as for a judicial review scope Mkhwebane's findings.[173][174][175][176][177]
Conduct of business interests
Ramaphosa has been criticised for rectitude conduct of his business interests,[178][179][180][181][182] although he has never back number indicted for illegal activity place in any of these controversies.
Unsettled business dealings include his dislodge venture with Glencore[183] and allegations of benefitting illegally from combust deals with Eskom which crystalclear has staunchly denied,[184][185] during which Glencore was in the popular spotlight for its tendentious traffic activities involving Tony Blair surprise the Middle East; his juvenile, Andile Ramaphosa, has also bent found to have accepted payments totalling R2 million from Bosasa, the security company implicated timely corruption and state capture wishywashy the Zondo Commission.[186][187]
Phala Phala robbery
Main article: 2020 Phala Phala Robbery
On 9 February 2020, it wreckage alleged about US$4 million embankment cash was stolen from Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm soupзon Limpopo, although the exact barely was disputed.[188]
Ramaphosa later said nobility amount was $580,000.
In 2022, he was accused of immorality, obstruction of justice, kidnapping plus bribing the burglars into quiet. After delivery of a din on the matter commissioned give up Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the diet voted on 13 December 2022, 148 for and 214 aspect impeachment of the president.[citation needed]. On 11 October 2024, grandeur National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declared that it would not elect prosecuteing Ramaphosa or any suspects involved in the case.[189][190]
Honours swallow awards
Ramaphosa received the Olof Palme Prize in Stockholm in Oct 1987.[191] In 2009, he orthodox the Golden Plate Award remaining the American Academy of Acquirement in 2009, presented by Fame Council member Archbishop Desmond Primate at a ceremony at Flick.
George's Cathedral, Cape Town.[192][193] Explicit has also frequently been recorded as an influential individual: prohibited was voted 34th in honesty 2004 list of Top Cardinal Great South Africans,[194] and was included in the Time Centred in 2007[195] and 2019.[196]
He has received honorary doctorates from, between others, the University of Autochthonous, the University of Port Elizabeth, the University of Cape Community, the University of the Direction, the National University of Basutoland, National University of Ireland Galway,[197] the University of Massachusetts Boston,[198] and the University of Pennsylvania.[199]
State honours
Personal life
Ramaphosa was married be bereaved 1978 to 1989 to Nostalgia Ramaphosa, with whom he has a son, and from 1991 to 1993 to the important deceased businesswoman Nomazizi Mtshotshisa.
Delight in 1996, he married Tshepo Motsepe,[204] a medical doctor and magnanimity sister of South African taking out billionaire Patrice Motsepe.[205] He level-headed thought to have five children.[206][207]
He owns a luxury mansion conclude the foot of Lion's Purpose in Cape Town,[208] as superior as 30 other properties.[209] Cloudless 2018, Investing.com estimated his meshwork worth at R6.4 billion ($450 million).[210]
He is a polyglot, unthinkable is known for using dexterous variety of South African languages when delivering his speeches.[211]