Ramaphosa succeeds Zuma as president

Cyril Ramaphosa, head of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has been sworn in as South Africa’s president, fewer than 24 hours after the resignation of embattled ex-leader Jacob Zuma. “I will try very hard not to disappoint the people of South Africa,” Ramaphosa said on Thursday as he ended his speech to parliament, shortly […]

Cyril Ramaphosa, head of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has been sworn in as South Africa’s president, fewer than 24 hours after the resignation of embattled ex-leader Jacob Zuma.

“I will try very hard not to disappoint the people of South Africa,” Ramaphosa said on Thursday as he ended his speech to parliament, shortly after ANC politicians elected him. Zuma’s nine-year presidency came to an end on Wednesday, when the 75-year-old announced that he would heed an ANC order and stand down ahead of a scheduled no-confidence vote against him in parliament.

His resignation in a televised address to the nation came after weeks of pressure to step down due to long-standing corruption allegations.

The election of Ramaphosa was largely ceremonial, with no other candidates put forward for the presidency.

South Africa’s two main opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), refused to vote for Ramaphosa, who served as deputy president under Zuma.The EFF has called for the dissolution of parliament and fresh elections, citing no faith in the ANC government who they accuse of protecting Zuma.