Cyril Ramaphosa took oath for his second term as South Africa’s president on Wednesday in a ceremony held in Pretoria, the administrative capital. His reelection marked a historic first in the country’s three-decade rule, achieved with support from a coalition of parties.
Following his reelection by lawmakers on Friday, despite his African National Congress party losing its parliamentary majority in last month’s election, Ramaphosa is now poised to form a Cabinet in a new coalition government. This coalition includes the main opposition party and a smaller third party, marking a significant agreement to co-govern Africa’s most industrialized economy.
Navigating the challenges of South Africa’s first coalition government without a majority, Ramaphosa will oversee a government of national unity comprising at least three parties, with invitations extended to others to participate.”
Ramaphosa took the oath of office publicly at the Union Buildings, the government seat, administered by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Among the attendees at the inauguration were King Mswati III of Eswatini, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Zimbabwe President Emerson Mnangagwa, and former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, along with numerous other dignitaries. This marks the beginning of what is anticipated to be a challenging final term for Ramaphosa.
The ceremony featured a 21-gun salute from the presidential guard and a flyover by the South African Air Force over the Union Buildings. Thousands of citizens were entertained by South African musicians and cultural dancers who were present at the swearing-in ceremony.
In his address to the nation, Ramaphosa acknowledged the electoral mandate and emphasized the need for collaborative governance: “The voters of South Africa have not granted any single party the exclusive mandate to govern our country. They have instructed us to collaborate in addressing their concerns and fulfilling their aspirations.”
Ramaphosa also acknowledged the electorate’s discontent with the government’s performance in certain areas: “The people of South Africa have clearly expressed their disappointment and disapproval of our shortcomings.” He highlighted the persistent societal challenges of inequality and polarization, warning of the potential for instability if these issues are not addressed effectively.
The boundaries etched into our landscape by our history—between black and white, man and woman, suburbs and townships, urban and rural, wealthy and poor—remain,” he stated.
He also pledged that the new government would generate fresh employment opportunities to tackle severe unemployment and focus on delivering essential services such as housing, healthcare, and clean water to the people.
While Ramaphosa’s remarks aimed to reassure a population already burdened by economic challenges, leading the new administration could prove daunting. It comprises parties with contrasting ideologies and divergent approaches to addressing the country’s myriad issues, including land redistribution, strategies to combat the electricity crisis, and perspectives on affirmative action.
Key players like the Democratic Alliance and the Inkatha Freedom Party have already entered the coalition, with others like the Patriotic Alliance, the GOOD Party, and the Pan Africanist Congress expected to follow suit. However, the third largest party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, and the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party have declined to participate.
The timing of the announcement of the new Cabinet formation remains uncertain.