South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been honoured as Chief Dwasaho in the city of Abidjan as part of his State Visit to Cote d’Ivoire.
Ramaphosa was crowned on Thursday with the Ivorian traditional leadership title of “The Great Warrior” on his two-day state visit to the Ivorian commercial capital, where he was warmly received amid loud cheers by locals who held huge banners of his image at the City Hall in Abidjan.
“I am truly humbled by this honour. It is impressive in many ways because it is a demonstration of the rituals of our African people and ancestors,” Ramaphosa said.
Apart from being presented with robes in Ivorian traditional garb by the traditional leadership during the handover ceremony, Ramaphosa was also handed the key to the autonomous district of Abidjan.
He said the gesture to honour him traditionally was unbelievable as he never expected the crown to be bestowed upon him.
Filled with gratitude and humility, the president disclosed that he always wanted to be a Chief, and now the Ivorians had given him the “key to the city as well as traditional title of being a chief among Ivorian people. I am truly honoured.”
Speaking at the ceremony, governor of the Autonomous District of Abidjan, Robert Beugré Mambé said his country was now Ramaphosa’s home – “only second to South Africa.”
“You are our family. They (our ancestors) are there for you for whatever you may need in the future. We will pray for you and South Africa to be supported for whatever you need in the future,” the governor said.
NM/jn/APA