President Cyril Ramaphosa may be the head of state in South Africa, but in Côte d'Ivoire, he is a chief.
And Ramaphosa made it known that it had been his lifelong ambition to become a chief, much to the adoration of his hosts.
Ramaphosa was honoured with a chieftaincy by the governor of the Autonomous District of Abidjan, Robert Beugré Mambé.
The president was on a state visit to Abidjan as part of a four-state west Africa tour.
"I have always wanted to be a chief," the president told an enthralled audience.
He was dressed in traditional robes after being awarded a key to the city.
On Thursday night, Ramaphosa told guests at a banquet in his honour that he would now go by the title chief, to much laughter and applause.
The president's first state visit to Côte d'Ivoire was met with a warm reception from his hosts and a pledge to greater cooperation.
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