South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in for his second term on Wednesday following a challenging election last month.
Ramaphosa’s inauguration ceremony included a 21-gun salute, military fly-bys, and an honor parade by servicemen. Ramaphosa secured his position by garnering the majority of votes from members of parliament allied with the African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance (DA), and other parties that supported his candidacy in parliament last week. Among the dignitaries present for the swearing-in were the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.
This election marked the first time the ANC failed to secure a majority after the May 29 election. Other parties, including Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK), Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and the DA, increased their presence in parliament.
Ramaphosa triumphed in parliament against surprise candidate Julius Malema of the far-left EFF, receiving 283 votes to Malema’s 44 in the 400-member house. South Africa is currently grappling with severe issues such as high levels of unemployment, inequality, and violent crime. The ANC, the historic party of Nelson Mandela, had ruled South Africa with a comfortable majority since the end of apartheid in 1994.
However, the May 29 election was a turning point as the ANC lost its 30-year majority amidst widespread discontent over poverty, inequality, and unemployment. The DA, which secured 21% of the vote, now holds the second-largest share behind the ANC’s 40%. Analysts warn of potential complications ahead due to the starkly different ideologies of the ANC, a former liberation movement, and the centrist, business-friendly DA.
