Charles Molele
Cyril Ramaphosa is the new president of the Republic of South Africa after being duly elected, unopposed, by the sixth Parliament in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Members of Parliament from various political parties, attending the first sitting of the sixth Parliament in Cape Town, rose to their feet in unison to congratulate Ramaphosa after dramatic events earlier today when his deputy, David Mabuza, failed to take his oath in Parliament.
Ramaphosa’s election was presided over by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng. He was nominated by ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina and moments later seconded by ANC MP David Ntombela.
The inauguration of the President-elect will take place at the Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday and is expected to be attended by SADC heads of state and government, including representatives from former liberation movements, fraternal countries, the African Union, UN, members of the diplomatic corps and former presidents of the republic including FW de Klerk, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma.
“I am truly honoured and humbled to have been elected to serve as President of the Republic of South Africa. It is a responsibility that I will discharge with the greatest of care and to the best of my ability,” said Ramaphosa when he took to the podium to thank the House.
“It is a responsibility that I undertake mindful of the needs, aspirations and expectations of the people of this land. It has been two weeks since the people of South Africa went to the polls to elect the Honourable Members now gathered in this House. Together, despite our different party affiliations, we carry a common mandate – to build a new nation in which all may be free, secure and equal. Free from poverty, hunger and unemployment.”
DA leader Mmusi Maimane was the first to congratulate the election of Ramaphosa in the National Assembly.
“May this be a season of better collaboration, both of us are proud patriots of our country, but we have both been called to serve the people of our country,” said Maimane.
EFF leader Julius Malema also congratulated Ramaphosa, but warned him against his close proximity with the super-rich, influential Stellenbosch families that include the Ruperts and Oppenheimers.
“We know your proximity to Stellenbosch. We have not elected the Ruperts, don’t listen to white monopoly capital. If you listen to white monopoly capital I can guarantee you that you will not finish your term. We will engage you openly and not in secret,” said Malema.
Earlier, former National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Chairperson Thandi Modise was elected as the new Speaker of the National Assembly. Lechesa Tsenoli was duly elected Deputy Speaker uncontested and will serve for another term in the same position.
Malema also congratulated Modise, saying she represented the character and the revolutionary fervor of the late struggle stalwart, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
“When we see you we see Winnie Mandela in action. You stood with her when it was not fashionable to do so. That’s why you are a dependable force,” said Malema.
“We hope you will preside over a corrupt free government and I hope you will not be driven by factional decisions. I hope you consider young men and women in the ANC. Surround yourself with honest people and not praise singers.”
The first sitting of Parliament on Wednesday began with the news that Ramaphosa’s deputy had asked his party to postpone his swearing as a member of the National Assembly to give him time to consult with the Integrity Commission.
George Mashamba, ANC’s integrity commission chairperson, confirmed on Wednesday that Mabuza had requested a meeting with the commission.
“The Deputy President made the request in light of a report by the ANC Integrity Commission in which he is alleged to have prejudiced the integrity of the ANC and brought the organisation into disrepute. The Deputy President has indicated he would like to have an opportunity to address the Integrity Commission on these allegations,” the ANC said in a statement.
“In the meantime, he has decided nevertheless to follow the dictates of his conscience and postpone his swearing in as a member of the National Assembly out of respect for the ANC’s institutions and processes.”
The announcement of Mabuza’s decision comes amid speculation at the weekend that he was not keen to go back to Parliament due to a number of reasons, including ill-health.
Mabuza mysteriously fell ill late in 2015.
He claimed at the time that he had been poisoned by his opponents in a political plot.
In recent years, Mabuza has been accused of corruption, including being involved in the killing of Jimmy Mohlala, a whistle-blower who revealed the corruption surrounding a tender to build the Mbombela Stadium.
There have been about 17 political assassinations in the province while Mabuza has been in charge. However, while many of the killings have been linked to the deputy president, he has never been incriminated.
Mabuza has denied the allegations.
Meanwhile, former environmental affairs minister Nomvula Mokonyane has asked the ANC to reconsider her deployment to Parliament as chairperson of the house.
Mokonyane was appointed chairperson of the house on Monday following a special ANC national executive committee (NEC) meeting in Cape Town.
In a media statement, the ANC said Mokonyane declined the new position due to family issues, including the death of her husband recently.
Mokonyane will now be deployed to the party’s headquarters, Luthuli House.
