Page 2 - Cyril Ramaphosa

South Africa heads closer to coalition govt as ANC's vote share drops

Incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa's African National Congress (ANC) party, which has ruled South Africa since the advent of democracy 30 years ago, is likely to lose its majority after voters overwhelmingly turned to alternative parties in the just-concluded polls, with a coalition government now most likely. General elections were held in South Africa on May 29 to elect a new 400-member National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each of the nine provinces. As vote counting continued at lunchtime on Friday, the ANC received only 42% of the confirmed 62% of votes cast. The Democratic Alliance was next with 23%. Analysts had earlier predicted that the ANC would not get more than 42%. The ANC has been worst affected by the emergence of the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party formed by former president Jacob Zuma, who was ousted by the ANC after huge public outcries about his alleged role in enabling massive looting of state resources. In Zuma's home province of KwaZulu-Nat

S Africa polls: How Mandela's once revered ANC lost its way with scandals

For years, the African National Congress rose above politics in South Africa. It was a movement dedicated to freeing Black people from the oppression of white minority rule and to the lofty principle of democracy, equality and a better life for all South Africans. It was widely revered as a force for good under Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for his opposition to the apartheid system of racial segregation. But 30 years after the ANC transformed from a liberation organisation to a political party in government at the end of apartheid in 1994, it faces growing dissatisfaction from South Africans who feel it has failed to live up to its promises. South Africans will vote on May 29 in a national election that could be the biggest rejection yet of the ANC, which has governed one of Africa's most important countries largely unchallenged since it led the fight to bring down apartheid. Now, the ANC is for many a byword for graft and failed government. Here's how the famous pa

S African prez sets May 29 as election day as polls show a drop in support

South Africa will hold its national election on May 29, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday. Ramaphosa's ruling African National Congress, the party once led by Nelson Mandela, is expected to face a stern test to retain its majority in South Africa's seventh fully democratic national election since the end of the apartheid system of forced racial segregation in 1994. Before 1994, Black people were not allowed to vote. The ANC, which led the anti-apartheid movement, has won every national vote by a clear majority since the racist system was dismantled and has been in government for 30 years. But several polls this year have predicted it may slip below 50 per cent of the vote in a general election for the first time. South Africans have grown weary of a troubled economy and record unemployment, a stream of corruption allegations against ANC figures, and an electricity crisis that has resulted in daily rolling blackouts for homes and businesses. If the ANC slips below 50 p

'Post Covid global reconstruction chance to create sustainable societies'

As the African Union became a permanent member of the G20, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosaon Saturday said the "global reconstruction" post the Covid 19 pandemic has brought a unique opportunity to accelerate transition to low carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the South African President expressed delight over the African Union becoming a member of the G20. "Global reconstruction in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, sustainable societies. Developing economies are bearing the brunt of climate change, despite carrying the least responsibility for this crisis," Ramaphosaon said on Saturday. "As African and other developing economy countries, we face the task of meeting our climate commitments in the midst of significant developmental challenges like poverty, inequality and unemployment. "Climate change, environmental degradation, ...

PM Modi gifts 'surahi' to Ramaphosa, Gond painting to Lula da Silva

Art works and traditional items reflecting Indian heritage were the gifts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's choice for some of the world leaders at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. He presented a pair of 'surahi' from Telangana to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Nagaland shawl to his wife and the first lady of the host country, officials said. They noted that the 'bidri vase' is a purely Indian innovation exclusive to Bidar, a Karnataka city. It is cast with an alloy of zinc, copper and other non-ferrous metals. Pretty patterns are engraved on the casting and inlaid with pure silver wire. The casting is then soaked in a solution mixed with special soil of Bidar fort which has special oxidising properties, they noted. This causes the zinc alloy to turn into a lustrous black leaving the silver inlay intact to contrast stunningly with the black background, they added. The gift also carried silver 'nakkashi', whose patterns are first drawn on paper and then transferred on

Argentina to Iran: Brics leaders agree to admit 6 countries as new members

The leaders of the BRICS nations on Thursday decided to admit Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as the new members of the grouping, sealing a long-drawn process. The decision was announced by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at a joint media briefing along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The new members will become part of BRICS with effect from January 1, 2024, Ramaphosa announced. He said the decision on the new members were agreed upon after firming up the guiding principles, criteria and procedures for the expansion process. "We have consensus on the first phase of this BRICS expansion process," Ramaphosa said at the end of the grouping's summit in Johannesburg. "We have decided to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to become full members of BRICS," he said. "We value the interests of other countries

Will strengthen grouping, says PM Modi as Brics adds 6 countries to group

India has always believed that adding new members will strengthen BRICS as an organisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said

Covid pandemic no longer determines how we live our lives: S African Prez

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that the country's economy is in a better state than before the COVID-19 pandemic and his government will work to ensure its continuous growth. The Covid-19 pandemic no longer determines how we live our lives. We have been able to shelter society's most vulnerable from its worst effects," Ramaphosa said in his New Year's address on Saturday. President said that South Africa's economy is in a better state than before the COVID-19 pandemic and his government will work to ensure its continuous growth. Our economy is growing again and is now larger than it was before the pandemic. Over the past year, around 1.5 million new jobs were created, he said, while conceding that 2022 had been a difficult year for South Africans. There have been devastating tragic events that have destroyed both lives and livelihoods. These events have included floods, fatal vehicle crashes, deaths in taverns, dam wall collapses, drownings, fires in informal ...

S African prez gets lifeline as ruling party stands by him despite scandal

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was on Monday given a lifeline by his African National Congress' (ANC) top executives, who decided to reject a report which found that Ramaphosa had flouted his constitutional obligations. Speaking to the media on Monday evening after a day-long deliberation of the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC), spokesman Paul Mashatile, who is also the Treasurer General of the party, said the NEC has decided to reject the report. Earlier on Monday, Ramaphosa filed papers in the Constitutional Court to review and set aside the Section 89 panel report that found he may have violated the Constitution. The report had found sufficient evidence that Ramaphosa may have violated a section of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act and may have committed serious misconduct by exposing himself to a situation involving a conflict between his official responsibilities and his private business. The incident at Ramaphosa's private game farm, cal

South African President Ramaphosa faces impeachment threat over 'Farmgate'

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing a possible impeachment threat over claims that he covered up the theft of millions of dollars in cash allegedly hidden in furniture at his game farm. Ramaphosa, 70, is being probed in an ongoing scandal linked to the theft from his private game farm in 2020. An independent panel said it had found sufficient evidence that the President may have violated a section of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act and may have committed serious misconduct by exposing himself to a situation involving a conflict between his official responsibilities and his private business. The report of the panel, which was headed by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, was handed to the Speaker of the National Assembly on Wednesday, clearing the way for possible impeachment action against Ramaphosa. Under South Africa's law, large amounts of foreign currency may not be kept by individuals without the requisite declarations or ...

Hindu community integral part of South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa

The Hindu community of South Africa is an integral part of the country's makeup, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday as he extended greetings of Diwali to the community members across the nation. The Hindu Community is an integral part of South Africa's rich multicultural tapestry. Members of the Hindu Community have made a significant contribution to our country since the arrival of indentured Indians to South Africa in 1860, Ramaphosa said. He was referring to the first Indians who arrived by boat in November 1860 to work on the sugar cane plantations of the then British colonial province of Natal. They were followed by thousands more, as well passenger Indians who paid their own way to start up businesses in South Africa. Descendants of these first Indian settlers now number 1.4 million South African citizens in a seventh generation in some instances. Ramaphosa also acknowledged the Indian community across several generations who were in the forefront of the struggle aga

S African Prez Ramaphosa announces sweeping reforms to combat corruption

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he'll implement sweeping reforms in response to recommendations by a judicial panel that probed corruption during his predecessor

US Bill on Russia will punish African countries: SA Prez Cyril Ramaphosa

A US Bill that seeks to act against African countries that support Russian activities on the continent has been described by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as having the potential of punishing' these countries. Addressing a meeting with the US Congress Black caucus and anti-apartheid veterans on Friday, Ramaphosa said that the bill if passed could have unintended consequences on the African continent. He strongly condemned the United States' proposed Russian Malicious Acts Bill as harmful to Africa's development. The bill would oblige Washington to punish any governments in Africa that help Russian malign' activities, SA people News, a South African news portal reported. (If passed) the law could have the unintended consequence of punishing the continent for efforts to advance development and growth, Ramaphosa said. In terms of the Bill, the US will assess the influence that Russia has on African countries, especially those which it believes undermines the interests of tho

I will not get intimidated, says South African Prez amid impeachment calls

South African President Ramaphosa said he will not get intimidated or bullied into submission', even as the opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters announced that it would seek his impeachment

PM to virtually attend BRICS Summit; focus on developing-country issues

The Ministry of External Affairs said that BRICS has become a platform for discussing and deliberating on issues of common concern for all the developing countries

S.Africa declares state of national disaster to tackle widespread floods

The Port of Durban - one of the biggest and busiest port terminals on the continent and an important part of the country's economy - has been severely damaged

S African prez Cyril Ramaphosa declares state of disaster over heavy floods

The floods followed four days of unprecedented torrential rain, which Ramaphosa said on Monday could be attributed to climate change

Trudeau speaks to South African president about Ukraine war, other issues

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday (local time) spoke with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa about Russia-Ukraine and other global issues.

South Africa to accord special official state funeral to Archbishop Tutu

South Africa will accord a special official funeral Category 1 to late Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu on New Year's Day, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday. Tutu, who was a globally venerated theologian, anti-apartheid campaigner and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away at the age of 90 on Sunday. The special official funeral will take place at 10 am (local time) in St George's Cathedral, Cape Town on New Year's Day on Saturday. "President Cyril Ramaphosa honours Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu with special official funeral category. The funeral will be held in compliance with the provisions of the COVID-19 health regulations that apply under Adjusted Alert Level 1 of the national state of disaster," the president's official twitter page said. A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony with full military ceremonial honours, usually reserved for all Presidents of South Africa, as well as other notable individuals. For Category 1 state ...

Desmond Tutu, apartheid opponent who won Nobel Prize, dies at 90

Tutu died on Sunday in Cape Town, President Cyril Ramaphosa's office said in a statement