Cyril Ramaphosa

Cyril Ramaphosa
Born	Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa 17 11, 1952
Birthplace	Soweto, Union of South Africa
Nationality	South African
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Title	5th President of South Africa
Known for	President of South Africa, anti-apartheid activist, founder of the National Union of Mineworkers, ANC chief negotiator during the end of apartheid
Education	Bachelor of Laws (B.Proc.)
Spouse(s)	Template:Marriage
Children	5
Awards	Chairperson of the African Union (2020–2021)

Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa (born 17 November 1952) is a South African politician and businessman who has served as the fifth President of South Africa since 15 February 2018 and as president of the African National Congress (ANC) since 18 December 2017. Born in Soweto during the height of apartheid, Ramaphosa rose from humble origins to become one of the most consequential figures in modern South African history — first as a trade union leader who organised the country's largest labour federation, then as the ANC's chief negotiator in the multiparty talks that dismantled apartheid, and later as a prominent businessman whose ventures spanned mining, telecommunications, and fast food. His political career has been marked by both significant achievement and controversy, including criticism over his role as a director of Lonmin during the Marikana massacre of 2012. Ramaphosa served as deputy president under Jacob Zuma from 2014 to 2018 before ascending to the presidency following Zuma's resignation. He was re-elected ANC president in December 2022 and was elected to a second presidential term by the National Assembly on 14 June 2024, after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 general election. As president, he has confronted South Africa's energy crisis, economic stagnation, and persistent corruption, while also serving as chairperson of the African Union from 2020 to 2021 during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Early Life

Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa was born on 17 November 1952 in Soweto, the sprawling township southwest of Johannesburg that would become a symbol of resistance to apartheid. He grew up during a period of intensifying racial segregation and political repression under the National Party government, which had come to power in 1948 and systematically codified apartheid into law.

Ramaphosa's early political consciousness was shaped by the conditions in Soweto and the broader struggle against white minority rule. As a young man, he became involved in anti-apartheid activism, joining the broader movement that sought to challenge the racial order in South Africa. His activism would eventually lead him into the organised labour movement, which became one of the most effective vehicles of resistance during the apartheid era.

Education

Ramaphosa studied law and obtained a Bachelor of Procedural Law (B.Proc.) degree. His legal training equipped him with negotiating skills and an understanding of constitutional principles that would prove instrumental in his later career as the ANC's chief negotiator during the transition from apartheid to democracy, as well as in his role as chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly after 1994.

Career

Trade Union Leadership (1982–1991)

Ramaphosa's rise to national prominence began in the labour movement. In August 1982, he became the founding secretary-general of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which grew to become South Africa's largest and most powerful trade union. Under his leadership, the NUM organised hundreds of thousands of black mineworkers across the country's gold, coal, and platinum mines, becoming a formidable force in challenging the exploitative labour practices of the apartheid-era mining industry.

Ramaphosa served as NUM secretary-general under president James Motlatsi from 1982 until June 1991. During this period, the union conducted several major strikes and work stoppages that drew international attention to the conditions faced by black South African mineworkers. The NUM became not only a labour organisation but a key component of the broader anti-apartheid movement, channelling workers' economic grievances into political activism against the apartheid state.

His tenure at the NUM established Ramaphosa as one of the most capable organisers and negotiators in the anti-apartheid movement, earning him recognition from ANC leaders, including Nelson Mandela, who had been imprisoned on Robben Island since 1964.

ANC Secretary-General and Constitutional Negotiations (1991–1996)

On 7 July 1991, Ramaphosa was elected secretary-general of the African National Congress under ANC president Nelson Mandela, succeeding Alfred Nzo in the position. This appointment placed him at the centre of the ANC's organisational machinery during the most critical period in the party's history — the transition from a liberation movement operating partly in exile to a governing party preparing for democratic elections.

In this role, Ramaphosa served as the ANC's chief negotiator during the multiparty negotiations that brought an end to apartheid. The negotiations, which took place through various forums including the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) and the Multi-Party Negotiating Forum, culminated in an agreement on an interim constitution and the scheduling of South Africa's first fully democratic elections. Ramaphosa's negotiating skill was widely noted during this process, as he navigated complex discussions with the National Party government and numerous other political stakeholders.

Following the ANC's victory in the historic April 1994 elections, Ramaphosa was elected as a member of the National Assembly. He subsequently became chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly, the body tasked with drafting South Africa's final democratic constitution. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, adopted in 1996, is regarded as one of the most progressive constitutions in the world, with its extensive Bill of Rights and protections for human dignity, equality, and freedom.

Some observers believed that Ramaphosa was Mandela's preferred successor as president of South Africa. However, the ANC ultimately selected Thabo Mbeki as the party's candidate for the presidency. In December 1996, Ramaphosa resigned from his positions in the ANC leadership and the National Assembly, stepping away from active politics to pursue a career in business.

Business Career (1996–2012)

After leaving politics, Ramaphosa became one of South Africa's most prominent black businessmen during the era of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). He founded the Shanduka Group, an investment holding company with interests spanning mining, energy, real estate, telecommunications, and the food and beverage industry.

Ramaphosa's business ventures were extensive and diverse. He became the owner of McDonald's South Africa franchises, served as chairman of the board of MTN Group, the pan-African telecommunications company, and held a position on the board of directors of Lonmin, the platinum mining company. His business portfolio made him one of the wealthiest individuals in South Africa, with his net worth estimated at over R6.4 billion (approximately $450 million) as of 2018.

Beyond his corporate interests, Ramaphosa became known as a cattle breeder, with a particular interest in Ankole longhorn cattle. He developed a herd of these distinctive, long-horned animals at his farm, and his involvement in cattle breeding attracted significant attention, including the sale of an Ankole bull for R640,000. He also authored a book on cattle.

Marikana Massacre Controversy

Ramaphosa's business career was significantly overshadowed by the events of August 2012, when police opened fire on striking mineworkers at Lonmin's Marikana platinum mine in the North West province, killing 34 workers and injuring 78 others on 16 August 2012. The incident, known as the Marikana massacre, was the deadliest use of force by South African security forces against civilians since the end of apartheid.

As a member of Lonmin's board of directors, Ramaphosa faced intense criticism for his conduct in the week preceding the massacre. Reports revealed that he had sent emails describing the striking workers' actions as "dastardly criminal" and had called for "concomitant action" to be taken against them. Critics accused him of having taken a harsh posture towards the miners and of having pressured the government and police to act against the strikers.

The Marikana Commission of Inquiry, established by President Jacob Zuma and led by Judge Ian Farlam, investigated the events. The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) submitted heads of argument to the commission that were critical of Ramaphosa's role. The controversy over Marikana has continued to follow Ramaphosa throughout his political career and remains a subject of considerable public debate in South Africa.

Return to Politics (2012–2018)

In December 2012, at the ANC's 53rd National Conference held in Mangaung, Ramaphosa returned to active politics after a sixteen-year absence. He was elected deputy president of the ANC under party president Jacob Zuma, succeeding Kgalema Motlanthe in the position. His return was characterised by some media commentators as the return of the ANC's "prodigal son."

Following the ANC's victory in the 2014 general elections, Ramaphosa was appointed deputy president of South Africa on 26 May 2014, serving under President Jacob Zuma. In this capacity, he also served as chairman of the National Planning Commission. During his tenure as deputy president, Ramaphosa positioned himself as a potential successor to Zuma, who faced mounting allegations of corruption and state capture.

The contest for the ANC presidency intensified throughout 2017. Ramaphosa secured endorsements from various ANC regional structures, including the West Rand region. In the lead-up to the December 2017 conference, Ramaphosa campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, stating that the ANC would "remove liars, thieves at its elective conference." Media reports described the ANC presidential race as "wide open" in the months preceding the conference.

On 18 December 2017, at the ANC's 54th National Conference, Ramaphosa was elected president of the African National Congress, defeating Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in a closely contested vote. In his first public remarks as ANC president, Ramaphosa pledged to stamp out corruption within the party and the government.

Presidency (2018–present)

Ascension to the Presidency

On 14 February 2018, Jacob Zuma resigned as president of South Africa amid mounting pressure from the ANC and the threat of a parliamentary vote of no confidence. The following day, 15 February 2018, the National Assembly elected Ramaphosa as the fifth president of South Africa.

Upon assuming office, Ramaphosa signalled that tackling corruption and reviving the economy would be central priorities of his administration. He inherited a government that had been deeply damaged by allegations of state capture — the systematic looting of state resources by private interests with close ties to the Zuma administration.

Ramaphosa notably declined to move into the official presidential residence. A report in The Citizen noted that he rejected the use of the state house.

First Full Term (2019–2024)

Following the ANC's victory in the May 2019 general election, Ramaphosa began his first full term as president. His presidency has been defined by several major challenges, including South Africa's chronic energy crisis, marked by years of rolling blackouts (known locally as "load shedding") caused by the deterioration of the state-owned power utility Eskom; sluggish economic growth and high unemployment; persistent corruption; and the COVID-19 pandemic.

As chairperson of the African Union from February 2020 to February 2021, Ramaphosa led the continental body's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating efforts to secure vaccines and medical supplies for African nations.

On 19 December 2022, the ANC's 55th National Conference elected Ramaphosa to a second term as president of the ANC, confirming his continued leadership of the ruling party.

Second Presidential Term (2024–present)

In the May 2024 general election, the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994, obtaining less than 50 percent of the national vote. Despite this historic setback, the National Assembly elected Ramaphosa to a second term as president of South Africa on 14 June 2024, following the formation of a coalition government.

In February 2026, Ramaphosa delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA), in which he announced the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to assist police in combating criminal gangs and illegal mining operations. He also sent warnings to employers across South Africa to comply with immigration and labour laws.

The energy crisis that had plagued South Africa for years showed signs of improvement during Ramaphosa's second term. According to The Washington Post, the ANC made a significant policy shift by embracing market-based reforms to address the crisis, allowing private electricity generation and opening up the energy sector, which contributed to ending the years of rolling blackouts.

Diplomatic Engagements

In February 2026, Ramaphosa secured the release of South African nationals who had allegedly been lured to Russia under false pretences and forced to fight on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war. Ramaphosa expressed "heartfelt gratitude" to Russian President Vladimir Putin for facilitating the return of the men. Eleven of the seventeen men were reported to be in the process of returning home, with arrangements ongoing for the remainder.

Personal Life

Ramaphosa has been married three times. His first marriage was to Hope Ramaphosa in 1978; the couple divorced in 1989. He married Nomazizi Mtshotshisa in 1991, and that marriage ended in divorce in 1993. He is currently married to Dr Tshepo Motsepe, a medical doctor and the sister of mining billionaire Patrice Motsepe. In 2017, amid reports of an alleged extramarital affair, Tshepo Motsepe publicly stated her support for her husband, saying "I support and love him."

Ramaphosa has five children from his marriages.

Outside of politics and business, Ramaphosa is known for his interest in cattle farming, particularly the breeding of Ankole longhorn cattle, a breed originating from East Africa known for their distinctive large horns. He has described cattle breeding as a significant personal interest and authored a book on the subject.

Recognition

Ramaphosa's role in the anti-apartheid struggle and the subsequent democratic transition has been the subject of significant scholarly and journalistic attention. His leadership of the National Union of Mineworkers during the 1980s is considered a pivotal chapter in the history of South African labour and resistance politics. His work as chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly, which produced the 1996 Constitution of South Africa, is among his most noted contributions to the country's democratic institutions.

He served as chancellor of the University of Mpumalanga from 2 April 2016 to 1 July 2021, succeeding the position's establishment and preceding Mandisa Maya as chancellor.

On the international stage, Ramaphosa served as chairperson of the African Union from 10 February 2020 to 6 February 2021, succeeding Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and preceding Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi in the role. His tenure at the helm of the continental organisation coincided with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring coordination of Africa-wide responses to the health crisis.

Legacy

Ramaphosa's legacy remains a subject of ongoing assessment given his continued service as president. His career spans several of the most defining periods and institutions in modern South African history: the anti-apartheid labour movement, the constitutional negotiations, the post-apartheid business environment, and the presidency itself.

His founding leadership of the National Union of Mineworkers created an institution that transformed the relationship between capital and labour in South Africa's mining industry and served as a vehicle for broader political change. His role as the ANC's chief negotiator during the transition from apartheid cemented his reputation as a skilled political operator, and his chairmanship of the Constitutional Assembly placed him at the centre of the creation of South Africa's democratic constitutional order.

However, the Marikana massacre of 2012 and questions about Ramaphosa's role as a Lonmin director in the events leading up to the killing of 34 mineworkers remain a significant and contested element of his record. For critics, the episode represents a fundamental contradiction between his origins as a champion of mineworkers' rights and his later position as a mining company director whose communications appeared to advocate for a forceful response to striking workers.

As president, Ramaphosa has confronted entrenched challenges including corruption, economic inequality, infrastructure decay, and public safety concerns. The resolution of South Africa's energy crisis through market-oriented reforms represents a notable policy development during his tenure. His ability to lead the ANC into a coalition government following its loss of a parliamentary majority in 2024 marks another significant chapter, as South Africa navigates an evolving political landscape after three decades of ANC dominance.