Cyril Ramaphosa

Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa was born on 17 November 1952. He is a South African businessman and politician. He has been the president of South Africa since 2018.

Before becoming president, Ramaphosa worked to end anti-apartheid. He led a big trade union called the National Union of Mineworkers.

In 1991, Ramaphosa joined the African National Congress (ANC). He helped end apartheid with Nelson Mandela. He came back to politics in 2012 and became the deputy president of South Africa in 2014. In 2017, he was elected president of the ANC. In 2018, he became president of South Africa after Jacob Zuma left office.

Ramaphosa was re-elected in 2024. As president, he led South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also served as chairperson of the African Union from 2020 to 2021. He is known for his work in many companies.

Early life

Cyril Ramaphosa was born on 17 November 1952 in Soweto, Johannesburg, to Venda parents. He was the second of three children in his family. He went to Tshilidzi Primary School and Sekano Ntoane High School in Soweto, and later finished his school years at Mphaphuli High School in Sibasa, Venda.

While in school, Ramaphosa joined student groups like the South African Students' Organisation (SASO) and the Black People's Convention (BPC). He was detained for a period for organizing gatherings, but continued his legal studies by correspondence and earned a degree in 1981.

Anti-apartheid and labour activism

After finishing his studies, Cyril Ramaphosa began working with a group of unions in South Africa called the Council of Unions of South Africa. In 1982, he helped start a new union for mineworkers named the National Union of Mineworkers. He was later arrested for planning a meeting that was not allowed.

Ramaphosa became the leader of this new union and helped organize big events for workers. He also worked with other groups fighting for change, like the African National Congress. Under his leadership, the union grew from just 6,000 members to over 300,000 by 1992. He also led one of the largest strikes in South Africa during this time.

Rise in the ANC (1990–1996)

After the ANC was allowed to operate freely in 1990, Cyril Ramaphosa worked more closely with the group. In January 1990, he joined released political prisoners at the ANC headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia. Later that year, he helped organize celebrations for Nelson Mandela's release from prison.

In July 1991, Ramaphosa was chosen as Secretary-General of the ANC. He also took part in talks to end apartheid. After South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994, he became a member of Parliament and helped lead the group writing the new constitution. In 1996, he stepped down from his political roles, feeling disappointed that Thabo Mbeki would become the next leader.

Business career (1996–2014)

After leaving politics, Ramaphosa became a businessman. He used the new Black Economic Empowerment policy to help his career grow. He was the executive chairman of the Shanduka Group, a company he started. This company invested in many areas such as minerals, energy, real estate, banking, insurance, and telecommunications through SEACOM. By 2014, Shanduka was worth over R20-billion, and Ramaphosa's family trust owned most of it.

He also chaired many important companies such as Bidvest, MTN, and Mondi. He was a director in other big companies too. In 2011, he bought the rights to run 145 McDonald's restaurants in South Africa for 20 years. He was also part of advisory boards for big international companies.

Cattle farming

In 2004, during a visit to Uganda, Ramaphosa learned about a special breed of cattle called Ankole. Because of health rules in Uganda, he could not bring these cows directly to South Africa. So, he bought 43 cows from Uganda's president and had them bred in Kenya. The new babies were then brought to South Africa. By 2017, he had 100 of these special cows on his farm in Mpumalanga. That same year, he wrote a book about these cows.

Public service

Even after leaving politics, Ramaphosa took on some public roles. He was the first Vice Chairman of the Commonwealth Business Council and chaired South Africa's BEE Commission. In 2000, he helped inspect weapons in Northern Ireland. In 2010, he was appointed to South Africa's National Planning Commission.

In 2008, during a difficult time in Kenya, he was asked to help with peace talks. But he stepped back because some people did not trust him. Later, in 2014, he helped with peace efforts in South Sudan as a special envoy for the South African President.

He also stayed involved with the ANC, the political party he supported. He was often voted into important positions within the party.

ANC Deputy Presidency (2012–2017)

Main article: 53rd National Conference of the African National Congress

In 2012, Cyril Ramaphosa returned to politics and was asked to become the Deputy President of the African National Congress (ANC). On May 20, another ANC member, Derek Hanekom, encouraged Ramaphosa to run for a higher position, but Ramaphosa said this was just a joke.

Later, on December 16, Ramaphosa agreed to accept the role of Deputy President. He was officially elected on December 18 with a large majority. Two other candidates, Mathews Phosa and Tokyo Sexwale, received far fewer votes.

Deputy Presidency of South Africa (2014–2018)

See also: Presidency of Jacob Zuma

After being reelected in the 2014 elections, President Zuma named Cyril Ramaphosa as the Deputy President of South Africa on May 25, 2014. Ramaphosa took his oath of office the next day, led by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.

Ramaphosa stepped down from many of his business roles to follow ethical rules for leaders. He left companies like Shanduka, McDonald's South Africa, and Lonmin, placing his other interests, such as property and farms, into a special account called a blind trust.

As Deputy President, Ramaphosa helped connect the government and Parliament. He also worked on plans for a national minimum wage and spoke up about concerns of corruption during President Zuma's time.

In 2018, Ramaphosa represented South Africa at the World Economic Forum in Davos to encourage investment. He also visited Vietnam and Singapore to strengthen trade ties and learn from their economic success. He helped in peace efforts in South Sudan and Lesotho as a special envoy.

ANC Presidency (2017–present)

Election

Main article: 54th National Conference of the African National Congress

In 2017, Cyril Ramaphosa wanted to become the leader of the African National Congress (ANC). He promised to work against unfair business and help the economy grow. Many important people supported him. On December 18, 2017, he won the election and became the new ANC leader.

Renewal project

After becoming leader, Ramaphosa promised to improve the ANC and make it more honest. He made new rules to stop leaders who were accused of unfair actions from keeping their jobs. This led to some disagreements in the party. In 2022, he was chosen again to lead the ANC for another five years.

Presidency of South Africa (2018–present)

After President Jacob Zuma left in February 2018, Ramaphosa was elected as President of South Africa by the National Assembly on 15 February 2018. Ramaphosa took his promise to lead in a special house called Tuynhuys, led by Mogoeng Mogoeng.

The next day, markets felt happy. Stocks went up and the rand became strong.

On 16 February 2018, Ramaphosa gave his first big speech as president of South Africa. This was the first time in South Africa's free history that a president gave this speech without a deputy president. Ramaphosa talked about making the economy of South Africa grow, bringing more tourists, helping young people find jobs, and making the government smaller. He also talked about keeping the memory of Mandela alive.

On 26 February 2018, Ramaphosa changed some leaders in the government. He removed leaders who were unpopular and close to the Gupta family. He chose David Mabuza, the deputy president of the African National Congress and the Premier of Mpumalanga, to be the country's Deputy President.

On 8 May 2019, the African National Congress, led by Ramaphosa, won most votes in the 2019 South African general election. Ramaphosa was elected again as president on 22 May 2019.

Since becoming president, Ramaphosa focused on changing land rules and helping the economy. He also worked on solving problems from an outbreak of listeriosis.

In February 2018, South Africa's parliament voted to change rules about land so the government could take land without paying.

He signed the Expropriation Act, 2024 to let the government take land without paying if it was for the public good. He believed this would help the economy grow.

There were some problems in South Africa with attacks on people from other countries.

On 10 June 2021, Ramaphosa said his government would let private companies make more electricity without needing special permission.

On 11 February 2022, Ramaphosa said his government would start a proper industry for cannabis to make more money from it.

Ramaphosa started a program to help young people get jobs and learn work skills.

On 14 August 2018, Ramaphosa talked about a new program to help schools with poor sanitation in Pretoria.

Ramaphosa was praised for how he handled the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. In October 2020, he stayed home for a short time after someone at a dinner he attended had coronavirus.

On 12 December 2021, it was announced that Ramaphosa had tested positive for COVID-19, and David Mabuza took over his duties for a week.

Political philanthropy

In 2018, Cyril Ramaphosa said he would give half of his salary, which was R3.6 million each year, to charity. He did this to honor Nelson Mandela, a former president of South Africa, and to inspire wealthy people to help improve their country. This donation was managed by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Ramaphosa also started the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation.

Controversies

Marikana massacre

Main article: Marikana massacre

In 2012, police in South Africa used force against workers who were on strike. Many people were hurt or lost their lives. Cyril Ramaphosa was connected to the company where the strike happened, and some people thought he played a part in what happened.

Extramarital affair

In 2017, news reports said that Ramaphosa had relationships outside his marriage. He said these stories were made up. Some private messages between him and someone else were shared online.

CR17 campaign funds

In 2019, there were questions about money given to help Ramaphosa’s campaign to become president of the ANC. Some people thought he didn’t tell the whole truth about where the money came from. Ramaphosa said the reports were wrong and asked for a review.

Conduct of business interests

Ramaphosa has faced criticism for some of his business choices, but he has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing.

Phala Phala robbery

Main article: 2020 Phala Phala Robbery

In 2020, a large amount of money was said to have been taken from a farm owned by Ramaphosa. There were later claims of hiding what happened. In 2024, it was decided that no charges would be brought against Ramaphosa.

Tembisa Hospital

In 2025, a video showed Ramaphosa with someone linked to a scandal involving money missing from a hospital. Ramaphosa first said he didn’t know this person, but later admitted that he did.

Honours and awards

Cyril Ramaphosa has received many awards and honours from different countries and organizations. In 1987, he was given the Olof Palme Prize in Stockholm. In 1995, he received the "Archivio Disarmo - Golden Doves for Peace" prize.

In 2009, he was presented with the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Cape Town. He has also been listed among influential people, ranking 34th in the list of Top 100 Great South Africans in 2004 and appearing in the Time 100 in 2007 and 2019.

Ramaphosa has also received honorary doctorates from several universities around the world, including the University of Natal, the University of Port Elizabeth, the University of Cape Town, the University of Limpopo, the National University of Lesotho, National University of Galway, the University of Massachusetts Boston, and the University of Pennsylvania.

State honours

Personal life

Cyril Ramaphosa was married to Hope Ramaphosa from 1978 to 1989, and they had a son. He then married Nomazizi Mtshotshisa from 1991 to 1993. In 1996, he married Tshepo Motsepe, a medical doctor. Tshepo Motsepe is the sister of Patrice Motsepe, a businessman in South Africa. Ramaphosa is thought to have five children.

He owns a large home near Lion's Head in Cape Town and many other properties. In 2018, his wealth was estimated to be very large. Ramaphosa can speak many languages and often uses different South African languages when he speaks to people.