Celebrations Following The Inauguration Of Ramaphosa As President Of South Africa For A Second Term

In a ceremony held on Wednesday in the administrative center of Pretoria, South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in for a second term. This was his first time in office during the 30-year rule of the country, having been reelected with the support of a coalition of parties.

After his African National Congress party lost its parliamentary majority in an election held last month, Ramaphosa is now expected to name a Cabinet in a new coalition government. After the main opposition party and a minor third party joined the ANC in an agreement to co-govern Africa’s biggest industrialized economy, MPs reelected him president on Friday.

Leading the first coalition administration without a majority party will be his task. What the ANC is referring to as a government of national unity will consist of at least three parties, with further parties invited to join.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo gave Ramaphosa the oath of office in front of the public at the government headquarters, the Union Buildings.

Numerous luminaries, including former Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga, president Emerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu, and King Mswati III of Eswatini, attended the inaugural ceremony as Ramaphosa began what looks to be a challenging last term in power.