South Africa’s National Assembly (NA) has, during its first sitting of the 7th Parliament today, elected Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa as the President-elect of the Republic of South Africa.
He has been re-elected to serve a second term as the President.
In terms of the South African Constitution, the National Assembly must, at its first sitting after its election, elect a woman or a man from among its members to be the President.
Mr. Ramaphosa was elected with 283 votes against Mr Julius Malema with 44 votes.
The Constitution states that when elected President, a person ceases to be a member of the National Assembly and, within five days, must assume office by swearing or affirming faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the Constitution.
The President-elect will be inaugurated during a ceremony in Pretoria which, according to the Constitution, should take place within five days after the President’s election.
Once the President has taken the oath of office, he will proceed to form a cabinet, selecting ministers who will head various government departments and execute the administration’s policies.
Additionally, the President will convene a joint sitting of the newly established National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces for the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA).
“It will once again be a privilege and pleasure to serve this great nation… (as) president,” said Mr Ramaphosa in a speech to parliament, describing the coming government as an era of hope and inclusivity.
“That a number of parties that had opposed each other… have decided to work together to deliver this result has given a new birth, a new era to our country,” he said.
The ANC won 159 of 400 seats in the National Assembly, while the DA got 87.
The uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party led by former President Jacob Zuma has 58, the Economic Freedom Fighters 39 and the Inkatha Freedom Party 17.
