WATCH: What Mandela said about Ramaphosa

WATCH: What Mandela said about RamaphosaCyril Ramaphosa has lived a charmed life and could have escaped controversy but he wanted to fight for freedom.

by Tasnim Langry

01-12-2022 15:46

in Nelson Mandela

ANC president Nelson Mandela (L) and ANC Secretary General Cyril Ramaphosa (R) give a press conference, on March 24, 1994, in Pretoria, after meeting South African President Frederik de Klerk. Photo by WALTER DHLADHLA / AFP

Cyril Ramaphosa's job hangs in the balance . . . he might resign or be impeached but he has still lived a life full of great experiences both politically and socially. His father was a policeman and Ramaphosa possibly chose to fight for justice because of his dad. Born on 17 November 1952 Ramaphosa became active in student politics at the University of the North (now known as the University of Limpopo). He registered to study law there in 1972. It was during this time that Ramaphosa started in the resistance movement and was detained for his actions.

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ALSO READ: Will President Cyril Ramaphosa resign TODAY? He is expected to address the nation soon

Ramaphosa and the black mine worker A young Ramaphosa organised anti-Apartheid rallies and was arrested in 1974 but he didn't stop fighting for freedom. His mission was a free, democratic South Africa. After completing his degree in 1981 he joined a trade union. When the government at the time allowed black mine workers to join unions, Ramaphosa established the National Union of Mineworkers in 1982. It was during this time that he fought for a change in labour relations in the mining industry. The focus of the union was fair wage and proper working conditions for black miners.

Becoming a part of the leadership Ramaphosa was elected secretary general of the ANC in July 1991 after the unbanning of liberation movements. He rose in rank when he headed the ANC delegation which negotiated the end of apartheid in November 1991. After 27 April 1994 Ramaphosa was elected as chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly and was instrumental in drafting the new Constitution. Although he was a success in Parliament he left politics and became a director of New Africa Investments Limited. Nelson Mandela can be heard in many online interviews praising Ramaphosa for his activism.

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Cyril the leader of South Africa The businessman who had close ties to politicians remained loyal to the ANC. On 18 December 2017 he became the president of the African National Congress. Popular around the world for his business acumen, Ramaphosa became the fifth democratically elected president of South Africa on 18 February 2018. Before him, Jacob Zuma was the leader of the ANC. Like many public figures Ramaphosa has always courted controversy.

ALSO READ: Motlanthe rules himself out of returning as Ramaphosa's replacement

Time for another family meeting? The theft and alleged cover up of millions of dollars from his Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo two years ago has left the president's reputation in tatters. He will learn his fate on 6 December 2022 when the National Assembly makes a decision. If the accusations are true, Ramaphosa will thereafter face an impeachment inquiry. The nation waits with bated breath for the president to address them tonight about what happens next.

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ALSO READ: Will President Cyril Ramaphosa resign TODAY? He is expected to address the nation soon

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