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Polity
Article by: Bloomberg
Published: 24 Jul 2006
Ramaphosa enters presidential race
Cyril Ramaphosa, who lost to Thabo Mbeki in the race to succeed Nelson Mandela as South African president, will run for the office in 2009, City Press said, citing unidentified people.

Ramaphosa may contest the election for the position of president of the ruling African National Congress party against Jacob Zuma next year as an initial step toward leading the country, the Johannesburg-based newspaper said. He has the backing of Mandela.

The 54-year-old Ramaphosa limited his role in politics after losing to Mbeki and has since been active in business. His companies have taken stakes in assets ranging from coal mines to paper mills.

Ramaphosa founded the National Union of Mineworkers, South Africa's biggest labor union, and helped lead the negotiations to end apartheid.