Zuma participated in a series of events alongside Ramaphosa to mark the birthday anniversary of Africa’s oldest liberation movement on Tuesday, including attending a church service, visiting the ANC’s founding president John Langalibalele Dube’s gravesite, and attending a mini-rally in Ohlange, Inanda.
He also stole the spotlight at the rally, receiving more cheers and applause than Ramaphosa from those in attendance, who were mainly from his Zulu ethnic group.
Ramaphosa, speaking on Ukhozi FM on Tuesday evening, said the media made it look like the two leaders did not get along or even talk to one another.
“It was a wonderful thing that Zuma was around. The community also loved it and saw that there are no issues between us,” said Ramaphosa who spoke in Zulu.
He said two other former presidents – Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe – failed to attend the function due to prior commitments.
Ramaphosa said Mbeki was in Vietnam, while Motlanthe was attending to affairs in New York City, and insisted that they would be part of festivities if they were around.
While Ramaphosa admitted that some provinces and branches were still problematic, he claimed to not be losing sleep over them, as the movement was coming together.