President Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in on Wednesday for a second term in office as South Africa’s head of state and government during a ceremony attended by several fellow leaders from the continent.
Ramaphosa took oath of office before Chief Justice Raymond Zondo at Union Buildings in Pretoria and would serve as South Africa’s first citizen until the country’s next elections in 2029.
“On this day, we assert by solemn oath the will of the people of this land,” Ramaphosa said in an address after taking the oath.
The inauguration took place a fortnight after South Africa held national elections on May 29, which produced a hung parliament.
Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) failed for the first time in 30 years to secure a majority in parliament, resulting in it forming a government of national unity with four other political parties.
Lawmakers re-elected him to stay on as president last week following the GNU deal to form the GNU between the ANC, its long-time rival Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkhata Freedom Party, Patriotic Alliance and GOOD party.
The ceremony was attended by leaders of neighbouring countries as well as representatives of Uganda, Mozambique, Egypt, the State of Palestine and Cuba, among others.
JN/APA