Cyril Ramaphosa is the 5th and current President of South Africa, who assumed office in 2018. Cyril is President of his party, the African National Congress, ANC.
Before Cyril became the President, he was and is still a businessman, a former Trade Union leader, and an activist.
In this article, let’s go into the life, history and achievements of the South African number one citizen.
Early Life and Education
Cyril Matemala Ramaphosa was born on the 17th of November, 1952 in Soweto, Transvaal Province, Union of South Africa during the apartheid era.
Early Life
Ramaphosa spent his childhood in the Western Native Township in the Transvaal province and moved in1962, after his family was compelled to move to Soweto, a township outside Johannesburg, due to the apartheid regime’s policies.
Education
He started his educational career at Tshilidzi Primary School and later attended Mphaphuli High School in Sibasa, Venda where he completed his high school education in 1971.
Ramaphosa then proceeded to the University of the North (now the University of Limpopo) in 1972, pursuing a degree in law. His time at university was marked by his involvement in student politics and the anti-apartheid movement, which would shape his future career in public service and politics.
Ramaphosa’s early experiences with the injustices of apartheid and his education in law were instrumental in his development as a leader and advocate for equality and democracy in South Africa.
Wife and Family
Like every other human, Ramaphosa has had his good and bad moments with marriage and here are some of the records of his narriage;
Tshepo Motsepe
– Tshepo Motsepe is the First Lady of South Africa, as she is married to Cyril Ramaphosa. They tied the knot in 1996.
She is a medical doctor and a businesswoman. Tshepo holds a MBBS Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a Master’s of Public Health in Maternal Child Health and Ageing from Harvard School of Public Health.
She comes from an affluent family. Her brother is the mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, and her sister is Bridgette Radebe, wife of African National Congress (ANC) politician and former Minister of Energy, Jeff Radebe.
Together, Cyril and Tshepo have three children namely; Tumelo, Mashudu, and Keneilwe.
Nomazizi Mtshotshisa (Late)
Cyril Ramaphosa’s second wife was the late businesswoman Nomazizi Mtshotshisa. They got married in 1991.
Nomazizi was an astute businesswoman and the first African woman to hold the position of Chairperson of Telkom. She remained the Chairperson of the Telkom Board until her demise in February 2008.
Cyril and Nomazizi had a daughter named Tulisa before their marriage ended in divorce in 1993.
Hope Ramaphosa
Cyril’s first wife was Hope Ramaphosa. They were married from 1978 to 1989. Hope gave birth to Cyril’s son, Andile.
Political Career and Achievements
Here’s an overview of Cyril Ramaphosa’s political journey and achievements:
Political Career
– Anti-apartheid and Labour Activism: Ramaphosa’s political activism began in the 1970s when he became involved in the anti-apartheid movement. He played a key role in the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), becoming its secretary-general and leading one of the largest strikes in South Africa’s history.
– Rise in the ANC: In 1991, Ramaphosa was elected as the Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) under President Nelson Mandela. He became the chief negotiator during the negotiations that ended apartheid.
– Constitutional Assembly: After South Africa’s first fully democratic elections in 1994, he was elected chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly, playing a pivotal role in drafting the new South African Constitution.
– Deputy Presidency: Ramaphosa served as the Deputy President of South Africa from 2014 to 2018 under President Jacob Zuma.
– ANC Presidency: He has been the president of the ANC since December 2017, succeeding Jacob Zuma.
– Presidency of South Africa: Ramaphosa became the 5th President of South Africa in February 2018, following the resignation of Jacob Zuma.
Achievements
– Chairperson of the African Union: He served as the 18th Chairperson of the African Union from February 2020 to February 2021.
– Economic Reforms: As president, Ramaphosa has focused on economic reforms, including efforts to combat corruption and attract foreign investment to stimulate economic growth.
– COVID-19 Response: His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic involved implementing measures to protect public health while also addressing the economic challenges posed by the crisis.
– Renewable Energy Initiatives: Ramaphosa has been an advocate for renewable energy and has worked towards transitioning South Africa to a more sustainable energy future.
Ramaphosa’s tenure as president has not been without challenges, including dealing with internal party conflicts and national issues such as unemployment and inequality. However, his contributions to ending apartheid and shaping the democratic landscape of South Africa remain his most notable legacies.
Networth and Estimated Value
As of 2023, sources indicated that Cyril Ramaphosa was worth a whooping $700 million.
