Pretoria, South Africa (June 21, 2024) – Cyril Ramaphosa has been sworn in for a second term as the President of South Africa during a significant ceremony held in Pretoria, marking the commencement of the country’s first coalition government in its 30-year democratic history. Ramaphosa’s re-election comes after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority, necessitating a coalition to govern Africa’s most industrialized nation.
In a momentous event at the Union Buildings, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo administered the oath of office to Ramaphosa in front of dignitaries such as King Mswati III of Eswatini, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The ceremony featured a 21-gun salute and a flyover by the South African Air Force, as well as performances by local musicians and cultural dancers, witnessed by thousands of citizens.
Ramaphosa, addressing the nation, emphasized the electorate’s mandate for a coalition government. “The voters of South Africa did not give any single party the full mandate to govern our country alone. They have directed us to work together to address their plight and realize their aspirations,” he stated. He acknowledged the public’s dissatisfaction with the government’s past performance and recognized the country’s deep societal inequalities.
With a coalition including the ANC, the Democratic Alliance (DA), and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Ramaphosa is tasked with navigating complex political terrain and divergent party ideologies. The new government must tackle critical issues such as high unemployment, housing, healthcare, and clean water provision.
The coalition does not include the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) or the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, who have opted out. The Patriotic Alliance, the GOOD Party, and the Pan Africanist Congress are anticipated to join the coalition.
Ramaphosa’s second term promises to be challenging as he works to unify a polarized society and steer South Africa towards economic stability and growth, amidst varying party agendas and public scrutiny. The announcement of the new Cabinet formation remains pending.