Cyril Ramaphosa
Cyril Ramaphosa is the fifth President of South Africa, having taken office in February 2018. He is a South African politician, businessman and former trade union leader who rose to prominence as the general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers during the anti-apartheid struggle in the 1980s. Ramaphosa played a key role in negotiating South Africa's transition to democracy and was chief negotiator for the African National Congress during the constitutional talks that led to the country's first democratic elections in 1994. After leaving politics in the mid-1990s, he built a substantial business career, becoming one of South Africa's wealthiest individuals through investments in mining, telecommunications and other sectors. He returned to active politics in 2012 when he was elected deputy president of the ANC, and subsequently served as Deputy President of South Africa from 2014 to 2018 under President Jacob Zuma. Ramaphosa became president following Zuma's resignation and won a full term in the 2019 general election, then secured a second term in 2024 at the head of a Government of National Unity. His presidency has focused on tackling corruption, reviving economic growth and addressing the country's energy crisis and high unemployment. He recurs in coverage of South African politics, economic policy, state capture investigations and regional African affairs. Ramaphosa studied law at the University of South Africa and began his career as a legal adviser to the Council of Unions of South Africa before founding the National Union of Mineworkers in 1982.
Cyril Ramaphosa Updates
South Africa may face class action over Sharpeville massacre 
By: Bloomberg 3rd September 2026 Survivors of one of the defining events of the anti-apartheid struggle, the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, and their dependents have applied for... →
Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi congratulates Mr Leonard Lekgetho on his appointment as Head of the SIU
2nd September 2026 The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms. Mmamoloko Kubayi, congratulates Mr. Leonard Gaoretelelwe Lekgetho, following his... →
Zuma and Another v Chairperson of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations Regarding Efforts or Attempts Having Been Made to Stop the Investigation or Prosecution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission Cases and Others (CCT 90/26) [2026] ZACC 3
1st September 2026 Click here to read the full judgment on Saflii “The Commission operates at the intersection of profoundly significant and competing interests: the... →
SA: Sindisiwe Chikunga: Address by Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilitie, on the outcomes of the inaugural meeting of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (31/08/2026)
1st September 2026 The realisation of this Council is inextricably linked to the mandate of the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. It is our... →
President Ramaphosa appoints new head of SIU
1st September 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mr Leonard Gaoretelelwe Lekgetho as head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) with effect from tomorrow,... →
‘It ain't broke’, Ramokgopa says on whether Nyati should stay as Eskom chair
By: Terence Creamer 31st August 2026 Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has indicated that it would be his preference for Eskom chairperson Mteto Nyati to remain... →
Ramaphosa assures competitive overhaul will curb skyrocketing electricity costs
By: Thabi Shomolekae 31st August 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday vowed to tackle the country's soaring electricity tariffs, acknowledging that the rising cost of power is... →
SA can’t tackle migration while ignoring Zimbabwe’s democratic backsliding
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 31st August 2026 South Africa and SADC’s reluctance to remedy misgovernance in their neighbourhood contributes to migration, sparking xenophobia and causing... →
President Cyril Ramaphosa asserts commitment to energy reform in meeting with Eskom Board
31st August 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in a meeting with the Chairperson of the Eskom Board on Thursday 27 August 2026, reaffirmed South Africa's energy... →
DA declares ANC's 'comrade State' approach a sign of 'terminal decline' as local election race heats up
By: Thabi Shomolekae 31st August 2026 The DA is taking a hard line against President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent campaign rhetoric, with DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis declaring that the ANC... →
