Cyril Ramaphosa
Cyril Ramaphosa is the fifth President of South Africa, having taken office in February 2018. He is a South African politician, businessman and former trade union leader who rose to prominence as the general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers during the anti-apartheid struggle in the 1980s. Ramaphosa played a key role in negotiating South Africa's transition to democracy and was chief negotiator for the African National Congress during the constitutional talks that led to the country's first democratic elections in 1994. After leaving politics in the mid-1990s, he built a substantial business career, becoming one of South Africa's wealthiest individuals through investments in mining, telecommunications and other sectors. He returned to active politics in 2012 when he was elected deputy president of the ANC, and subsequently served as Deputy President of South Africa from 2014 to 2018 under President Jacob Zuma. Ramaphosa became president following Zuma's resignation and won a full term in the 2019 general election, then secured a second term in 2024 at the head of a Government of National Unity. His presidency has focused on tackling corruption, reviving economic growth and addressing the country's energy crisis and high unemployment. He recurs in coverage of South African politics, economic policy, state capture investigations and regional African affairs. Ramaphosa studied law at the University of South Africa and began his career as a legal adviser to the Council of Unions of South Africa before founding the National Union of Mineworkers in 1982.
Cyril Ramaphosa Updates
President Ramaphosa accedes to investigating Director's resignation
Updated 1 hour 35 minutes ago President Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of section 12(8)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act of 1998 accepted the request by Adv Andrea... →
An action plan to end the water crisis once and for all
Updated 1 hour 39 minutes ago Dear Fellow South African, Last week, I spoke about our commitment to give effect to the constitutional right of access to water for all South... →
DA criticises Ramaphosa’s ‘recycled’ water crisis plan, as ANC defends ‘infrastructure reforms’
By: Thabi Shomolekae 24th July 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa’s National Water Action Plan (NWAP) has sparked a political clash between coalition partners, with the DA dismissing the... →
Alarmingly nothing new in Ramaphosa’s Water Crisis Plan
24th July 2026 The plan released by President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday to address South Africa’s water supply crisis contains nothing new. This is very alarming,... →
ANC welcomes the Western Cape high court judgement on Section 89 process
24th July 2026 The African National Congress welcomes the judgment of the Western Cape High Court granting President Cyril Ramaphosa’s application to interdict... →
Phala Phala review must now be resolved urgently
24th July 2026 The Democratic Alliance notes and respects today’s judgment interdicting the commencement of Parliament’s formal impeachment inquiry pending the... →
Shanthie Naidoo honoured for fierce anti-apartheid resilience 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 24th July 2026 The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF) on Friday paid tribute to anti-apartheid stalwart Shanthie Naidoo Tweedie (91) following her passing on... →
Court halts Phala Phala impeachment process, Ramaphosa pledges cooperation
By: Thabi Shomolekae 24th July 2026 The Western Cape High Court has granted President Cyril Ramaphosa an urgent interim interdict, pausing Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment process.... →
President Ramaphosa releases the National Water Action Plan
24th July 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa today, Thursday 23 July 2026, released the National Water Action Plan following a meeting of the National Water Crisis... →
National action plan for water published
By: Natasha Odendaal 24th July 2026 As South Africa’s water crisis reaches a breaking point, President Cyril Ramaphosa has published the National Water Action Plan (NWAP), outlining... →
