The second term of Cyril Ramaphosa presidency is about to take office in South Africa. Following a coalition agreement between his African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), among other parties, MPs reelected him last week.
After the May 29 election produced no obvious winner, the ANC, which has ruled since apartheid ended in 1994, lost its majority for the first time.
It is anticipated that many heads of state and dignitaries from around the globe would attend the inauguration ceremony, which is being held in Pretoria. The State of Palestine, Cuba, China, Uganda, Mozambique, Angola, Egypt, and the State of Palestine will all be “represented at a high level,” the presidency said.
The event, which is planned for a regular workday, will include a parade led by the nation’s armed services, a 21-gun salute, music and artistic performances, and military fly-bys.
Under the leadership of former President Jacob Zuma, the newly established uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has announced that its representatives will not take part in what they refer to as a “farcical” inauguration. In addition to winning 15% of the vote and 58 parliamentary seats, the MK party abstained from the inaugural meeting of parliament on Friday.
Cyril Ramaphosa is anticipated to name a new cabinet after the inauguration, one that includes representatives from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and three other smaller parties. 68% of the parliamentary seats are held by the coalition as a whole.
It is also expected that President Ramaphosa will present a strategy for reviving the flagging economy. In 2018, he took up his first official position following the resignation of his predecessor, Jacob Zuma, who refuted accusations of wrongdoing.
