President Cyril Ramaphosa has been sworn in for a second term as president of South Africa after the resignation of former president, Jacob Zuma in 2018.
Ramaphosa’s inauguration took place at the Union Buildings on Wednesday, 19 June, in the presence of former president, Thabo Mbeki, and dignitaries from around the world. He was re-elected as president of SA by the National Assembly with the support of the IFP, DA, ANC, Good and PA members of parliament.
Ramaphosa promised the people of South Africa that all parties will work together to make the country a better place.
“We gather here, as people born of the same soil across our nine provinces that make up a unitary South Africa, determined that by our deeds we shall heal the divisions of our past and overcome the ongoing inequalities and hardships of the present,” said Ramaphosa.
He said that as the country’s leaders, they rededicate themselves to the task of democratic renewal and social and economic transformation so that no one is left behind.
“As we enter another era in the life of our nation, the resilience of our democracy has once more been tested and the people have spoken loudly that they choose peace and democracy over violent, undemocratic and unconstitutional methods. We accept and respect the results of the elections and we once again say the people have spoken. Their will shall be done without any doubt or question,” said Ramaphosa.
As the inauguration was broadcast live on various news platforms, South Africans voiced their views on the promises made by Ramaphosa, with some believing that the president was making false promises, while others congratulated him on his re-appointment.
The people requested that the president ensure that more jobs are created and that communities are served equally. The president assured that nothing would distract the newly-formed government from serving the people and advancing their interests.
“Now is the time to move forward. Together, we will do more and better. Now is the time to assemble all our capabilities and to direct all our energies to answer the call of the people of South Africa,” he added.
The country is now waiting for Ramaphosa to announce his cabinet of ministers, which is expected in the next few days.
