• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Science
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Tech
Ramaphosa sworn-in as president of South Africa vowing ‘new era’

Ramaphosa sworn-in as president of South Africa vowing ‘new era’

May 26, 2019
How AfCFTA will decrease conflict by increasing youth employment

How AfCFTA will decrease conflict by increasing youth employment

January 24, 2021
Mothers in Tunisia denounce ‘Arbitrary arrests’ of their children

Mothers in Tunisia denounce ‘Arbitrary arrests’ of their children

January 24, 2021
Police disperse pro-Bobi Wine protesters in Nairobi

Police disperse pro-Bobi Wine protesters in Nairobi

January 24, 2021
Roadside bomb kills three Malian troops

Roadside bomb kills three Malian troops

January 24, 2021
Africa cheers as US returns to the World Health Organization

Africa cheers as US returns to the World Health Organization

January 24, 2021
Libyan MP dies of Covid-19 in Morocco hospital

Zimbabwe loses two more ministers to coronavirus

January 24, 2021
Access Bank picks eight African nations for expansion

Access Bank picks eight African nations for expansion

January 20, 2021
Advice to Africans: Don’t send your children to study in the West

Advice to Africans: Don’t send your children to study in the West

January 20, 2021
UN chief Guterres condemns attack in Somalia’s Galkayo

Nine African nations in debt to UN lose voting rights

January 20, 2021
Malawi turns stadium into isolation centre as virus cases rise

Malawi turns stadium into isolation centre as virus cases rise

January 20, 2021
Absence of Army Officers Stall Lagos #EndSARS  Judicial Panel Proceedings

My husband died in SARS detention over N200 airtime – Widow

January 20, 2021
Sudanese movie in the race for an Oscar for the first time in history

Sudanese movie in the race for an Oscar for the first time in history

January 20, 2021
https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal-banking/ways-to-bank/firstmonie/ https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal-banking/ways-to-bank/firstmonie/ https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal-banking/ways-to-bank/firstmonie/
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Sunday, January 24, 2021
  • Login
The Voice
  • Home
  • Africa
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Technology
  • Diaspora
  • World
No Result
View All Result
The Voice
No Result
View All Result
Home Africa

Ramaphosa sworn-in as president of South Africa vowing ‘new era’

May 26, 2019
in Africa, Politics
Reading Time: 5min read
0
Ramaphosa sworn-in as president of South Africa vowing ‘new era’
3
SHARES
22
VIEWS
ShareTweetWhatsApp

Cyril Ramaphosa vowed a “new era” Saturday after he was sworn in as president of South Africa at a colourful ceremony in the capital, as he looks to revitalise his push to revive the economy and fight corruption.

Foreign heads of state from more than 40 countries were among 36,000 people who witnessed the event replete with pomp, military honours and an airforce flyover at a rugby stadium in Pretoria.

Ramaphosa, who became president last year through internal politics in his African National Congress (ANC) party and won a popular mandate in elections on May 8, faces an uphill battle to drive through reforms in a country suffering from chronic jobless rates, inequality, crime and endemic corruption.

https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal-banking/ways-to-bank/firstmonie/ https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal-banking/ways-to-bank/firstmonie/ https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal-banking/ways-to-bank/firstmonie/

“A new era has dawned in our country. A brighter day is rising upon South Africa,” said Ramaphosa, promising that the nation was beginning “a new era of hope and renewal”.

“This is a defining moment for a young nation like ours. It is a time for us to make the future that we yearn for,” added the 66-year-old.

The former trade unionist played a prominent part in the struggle to end white-minority rule — at one point seen as a protege of Nelson Mandela — before becoming a successful businessman and served as vice president to former president Jacob Zuma.

Thousands attended the ceremony in Pretoria © AFP / Michele Spatari

Ramaphosa vowed to root out corruption as he took power last year when the ANC forced scandal-plagued Zuma to resign after nine years in office.

Also Read:   Shoprite to Quit Operations in Nigeria ?

On Saturday he pledged “to build the South Africa that we all want and deserve.

“Let us forge a compact for an efficient, capable and ethical state, a state that is free from corruption.”

Ramaphosa faces a herculean task to tackle the country’s many problems — from a sickly economy, in which more than a quarter of the workforce is jobless, to land ownership that remains overwhelmingly in the hands of whites.

Many solutions will require him to inch his way along a high wire, balancing leftwing calls for radical change with investors’ demands for caution.

Corruption scandals and the country’s economic struggles have also dented the support for the ANC.

The party won 57.5 percent of the vote on May 8, its weakest result since apartheid was overturned 25 years ago.

– Cabinet tensions –

Main opposition Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane said he wanted to work with Ramaphosa to improve the lives of South Africans.

Traditional dancers were part of the celebrations © POOL/AFP / SIPHIWE SIBEKO

“Today is a historic day in South Africa, the people of this country… have spoken, now the job that we have to make sure we do is build the reforms.

“I will work with the president when he supports the people of this country but when he puts the ANC first I will not be there,” Maimane told reporters.

The South African government spent 120 million rand ($8.3 million) for Ramaphosa’s inauguration ceremny © POOL/AFP / SIPHIWE SIBEKO

Ramaphosa’s first test will be choosing a cabinet — a task beset by rival factions within the ANC.

He is expected to name his new team within days, but the choice of vice president hangs in the balance after deputy David Mabuza said Wednesday he would defer taking his seat in parliament.

Also Read:   South Africa Airways CEO Jarana resigns, placing the Airline's turnaround plan in question

An ANC integrity commission report has alleged that Mabuza — the party’s No. 2 — “prejudiced the integrity of the ANC and brought the organisation into disrepute”.

Maimane called for a smaller cabinet and “not to have criminals in it”.

– Zuma a no-show –

Breaking with tradition Ramaphosa’s swearing-in ceremony was moved from the amphitheatre of the Union Buildings — the seat of government, where Mandela was inaugurated as the country’s first black president in 1994.

Ramaphosa faces an uphill challenge in his reform programme © AFP / Michele Spatari

All other leaders after Mandela have taken their oaths at the Union Buildings, whose grounds can accommodate only up to 4,500 people.

But this year the event was moved to the 52,000-seater Loftus Versfeld stadium to allow more people to attend.

Foreign leaders present included Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s new leader Felix Tshisekedi.

Land ownership is one of South Africa’s most emotive issues © AFP / RODGER BOSCH

All of the country’s living former presidents were at the ceremony except for Zuma, who on Friday attended a court hearing on corruption charges in the southeastern city of Pietermaritzburg.

He told supporters afterwards he was too busy to go to Pretoria for Ramaphosa’s inauguration.

“There is no time. I am fighting to stay out of jail,” Zuma said.

More than 2,500 police were deployed for security, while a battalion of soldiers performed ceremonial parades inside the stadium. The airforce put a spectacular aerobatics display overhead. 

Tags: Cyril Ramaphosasouth africa
Share1Tweet1Send
voice-admin

voice-admin

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Angola’s former Unita leader Jonas Savimbi reburied after 17 years

Angola’s former Unita leader Jonas Savimbi reburied after 17 years

June 2, 2019
Nigeria is in a State of Wasted Brilliance of Hard Working people – Kwevi Quaye

Nigeria is in a State of Wasted Brilliance of Hard Working people – Kwevi Quaye

January 5, 2021
149 African Migrants Evacuated From Libya to Italy

149 African Migrants Evacuated From Libya to Italy

June 1, 2019
Egypt withdraws from latest Nile dam talks

Egypt withdraws from latest Nile dam talks

1
How AfCFTA will decrease conflict by increasing youth employment

How AfCFTA will decrease conflict by increasing youth employment

0
Is Kenya in Upward Trajectory after the 2017 Elections ?

Is Kenya in Upward Trajectory after the 2017 Elections ?

0
How AfCFTA will decrease conflict by increasing youth employment

How AfCFTA will decrease conflict by increasing youth employment

January 24, 2021
Mothers in Tunisia denounce ‘Arbitrary arrests’ of their children

Mothers in Tunisia denounce ‘Arbitrary arrests’ of their children

January 24, 2021
Police disperse pro-Bobi Wine protesters in Nairobi

Police disperse pro-Bobi Wine protesters in Nairobi

January 24, 2021
The Voice News Magazine

Copyright © The Voice News Magazine

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • World
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Gaming
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Sports
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Health
    • Travel

Copyright © The Voice News Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In