CYRIL Ramaphosa was sworn in for a second term as South African President on Wednesday, June 19 in Pretoria, the country’s capital.
He was sworn in despite his party – the African National Congress (ANC) – inability to win a majority in the country’s elections held in May.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo presided over the President’s swearing-in ceremony in the presence of legislators, foreign dignitaries, religious and traditional leaders, and supporters at the Government’s House – the Union Buildings.
Several religious leaders gathered for an interfaith prayer before the President was sworn in, offering prayers for him to lead the nation in the right direction.
“In the presence of everyone assembled here, and in full realisation of the high calling I assume as President. I Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa, I will obey, observe and uphold the Constitution and all other laws of the Republic,” Ramaphosa said during the inauguration.
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High-ranking international officials, notable South African politicians, members of civil society and other dignitaries, including Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, were present at the event.
Other attendees include Angola’s President Joao Lourenco, Congo Brazzaville’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Eswatini’s absolute leader King Mswati III, among others.
However, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party did not attend the inauguration as they had announced on Monday that they would be boycotting Ramaphosa’s inauguration in protest of the ANCs alliance with the Democratic Alliance (DA) party to form a government of National Unity.
After the inauguration, Ramaphosa is expected to form a cabinet consisting of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and three other smaller parties. The coalition won 68 per cent of the parliamentary seats.
Ramaphosa is taking the oath of office as President of South Africa for the third time. He took office for the first time in 2018 following the forced resignation of his predecessor, Jacob Zuma, due to allegations of corruption. He was then re-appointed for a full five-year term in 2019.
Multimedia journalist covering Entertainment and Foreign news