{"id":4771,"date":"2025-03-11T06:44:50","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T06:44:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/?p=4771"},"modified":"2025-12-10T13:09:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T13:09:35","slug":"cyril-ramaphosa-trade-unionist-negotiator-and-south-african-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xeroltha.com\/blog\/cyril-ramaphosa-trade-unionist-negotiator-and-south-african-president\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyril Ramaphosa: Trade Unionist, Negotiator, and South African President"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-path-to-node=\"1\"><b><span class=\"citation-126\">Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-126\"> is a South African politician, anti-apartheid activist, trade union leader, and businessman who serves as the <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-126\">fifth President of South Africa<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-126 citation-end-126\"> since the end of apartheid.<\/span> <span class=\"citation-125 citation-end-125\">He took office in February 2018 following the resignation of Jacob Zuma, and has positioned himself as a champion of reform, committed to fighting corruption and rebuilding the nation&#8217;s economy and institutions.<\/span><\/p><div class=\"03bb5c02e2f58c6bb7f372bc13011e34\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:10px 0 10px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:10px;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8677361123316975\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- ZXZ -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8677361123316975\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3054782407\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br><br \/>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"2\" \/>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"3\">Key Biographical Information<\/h3>\n<table data-path-to-node=\"4\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Detail<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Information<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,1,0,0\"><b>Full Name<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,1,1,0\">Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,2,0,0\"><b>Born<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,2,1,0\">November 17, 1952, Johannesburg, South Africa<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,3,0,0\"><b>Political Party<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,3,1,0\">African National Congress (ANC)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,4,0,0\"><b>Key Titles<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,4,1,0\">President of South Africa (2018\u2013Present); President of the ANC (2017\u2013Present)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,5,0,0\"><b>Wife<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,5,1,0\">Dr. Tshepo Motsepe<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,6,0,0\"><b>Previous Roles<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,6,1,0\">Deputy President of South Africa (2014\u20132018); ANC Secretary General (1991\u20131997)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,7,0,0\"><b>Key Role in History<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"4,7,1,0\">Head of the ANC negotiating team during the end of <b>apartheid<\/b>; Chairperson of the <b>Constitutional Assembly<\/b> (1994\u20131996)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"5\" \/>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"6\">Anti-Apartheid Activism and Trade Unionism<\/h3>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"7\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\"><b><span class=\"citation-124\">Black Consciousness:<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-124 citation-end-124\"> Ramaphosa began his political activism in the early 1970s while studying law at the University of the North (Turfloop).<\/span> <span class=\"citation-123\">He joined the <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-123\">South African Student Organisation (SASO)<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-123\"> and the Black People&#8217;s Convention (BPC), organizations central to the <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-123\">Black Consciousness<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-123 citation-end-123\"> movement.<\/span> <span class=\"citation-122\">His anti-apartheid activities led to his <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-122\">detention in solitary confinement<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-122 citation-end-122\"> twice in the mid-1970s by the apartheid regime.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"source-inline-chip-container ng-star-inserted\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\"><b>National Union of Mineworkers (NUM):<\/b><span class=\"citation-121 citation-end-121\"> After obtaining his law degree in 1981, Ramaphosa became a legal advisor for a trade union.<\/span> <span class=\"citation-120\">In 1982, he was instrumental in founding the <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-120\">National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-120 citation-end-120\"> and became its first General Secretary.<\/span> <span class=\"citation-119\">Under his fierce leadership, the union grew from 6,000 members to over 300,000, becoming the <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-119\">most powerful union in the country<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-119 citation-end-119\"> and leading historic strikes against the mining industry.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"source-inline-chip-container ng-star-inserted\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\"><b>ANC and CODESA:<\/b><span class=\"citation-118\"> His reputation as a powerful organizer and skilled negotiator led to his election as <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-118\">ANC Secretary General<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-118 citation-end-118\"> in 1991.<\/span> <span class=\"citation-117\">He was subsequently appointed the <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-117\">ANC&#8217;s chief negotiator<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-117 citation-end-117\"> at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) and the subsequent multi-party talks that ended apartheid.<\/span><\/p><div class=\"03bb5c02e2f58c6bb7f372bc13011e34\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:10px 0 10px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:10px;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8677361123316975\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- ZXZ -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8677361123316975\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3054782407\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br><br \/>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"8\" \/>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"9\">Post-Apartheid and Business Career<\/h3>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"10\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\"><b>Constitutional Architect:<\/b><span class=\"citation-116\"> Following South Africa&#8217;s first democratic elections in 1994, Ramaphosa was elected <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-116\">Chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-116 citation-end-116\">.<\/span>\u00a0In this pivotal role, he was responsible for overseeing the drafting and finalization of South Africa&#8217;s internationally acclaimed first democratic <b>Constitution<\/b> .<\/p>\n<div class=\"source-inline-chip-container ng-star-inserted\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0\"><b>Retreat to Business:<\/b><span class=\"citation-115 citation-end-115\"> Despite being widely considered Nelson Mandela&#8217;s preferred successor, Ramaphosa was bypassed for the Deputy Presidency in 1994.<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"citation-114\">He resigned from politics in 1997 and transitioned into a successful business career, founding the <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-114\">Shanduka Group<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-114 citation-end-114\">, a black-owned investment holding company.<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"citation-113 citation-end-113\">He accumulated a large fortune across sectors like mining, energy, and telecommunications, becoming one of South Africa&#8217;s wealthiest businessmen.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"11\" \/>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"12\">Return to Politics and Presidency<\/h3>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"13\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"13,0,0\"><b><span class=\"citation-112\">Return to Politics:<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-112\"> Ramaphosa returned to active politics in 2012 when he was elected <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-112\">Deputy President of the ANC<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-112 citation-end-112\">.<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"citation-111\">In 2014, he was appointed <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-111\">Deputy President of South Africa<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-111 citation-end-111\"> by President Jacob Zuma.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"source-inline-chip-container ng-star-inserted\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"13,1,0\"><b>ANC President:<\/b><span class=\"citation-110\"> In December 2017, he narrowly won the election to become the <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-110\">President of the ANC<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-110 citation-end-110\"> on a platform committed to fighting corruption and renewing the party.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"source-inline-chip-container ng-star-inserted\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"13,2,0\"><b>State Presidency:<\/b><span class=\"citation-109\"> He was sworn in as the <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-109\">President of the Republic of South Africa<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-109 citation-end-109\"> on February 15, 2018, following Jacob Zuma&#8217;s resignation.<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"citation-108 citation-end-108\">He was re-elected in 2019 and again in 2024 (in a historic government of national unity).<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"source-inline-chip-container ng-star-inserted\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 data-path-to-node=\"14\"><b>Challenges of His Presidency<\/b><\/h4>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"15\">Ramaphosa&#8217;s tenure has been dominated by the difficult task of addressing:<\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"16\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"16,0,0\"><b>State Capture:<\/b><span class=\"citation-107\"> The institutionalized corruption and abuse of power that took place under his predecessor, which he confronted by rebuilding law enforcement agencies and supporting the <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-107\">Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-107 citation-end-107\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"16,1,0\"><b>Economic Stagnation:<\/b> Tackling severe <b>unemployment<\/b> (especially youth unemployment) and low economic growth.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"16,2,0\"><b>Eskom and Load Shedding:<\/b><span class=\"citation-106\"> Dealing with the crippling energy crisis and the collapse of the state-owned power utility, <\/span><b><span class=\"citation-106\">Eskom<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-106\">, which has led to persistent and damaging electricity blackouts (<\/span><i><span class=\"citation-106\">load shedding<\/span><\/i><span class=\"citation-106 citation-end-106\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"16,3,0\"><b>COVID-19 Pandemic:<\/b><span class=\"citation-105 citation-end-105\"> His administration oversaw the national response to the pandemic, including introducing one of Africa&#8217;s most comprehensive economic and social support packages.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; margin: 0; padding: 0; clear: both;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa is a South African politician, anti-apartheid activist, trade union leader, and businessman who serves as the fifth 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