Since 1994, South Africa has had five presidents:
Name | Took Office | Left Office | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|
Nelson Mandela | May 10, 1994 | June 14, 1999 | African National Congress (ANC) |
Thabo Mbeki | June 14, 1999 | September 24, 2008 | African National Congress (ANC) |
Kgalema Motlanthe | September 25, 2008 | May 9, 2009 | African National Congress (ANC) |
Jacob Zuma | May 9, 2009 | February 14, 2018 | African National Congress (ANC) |
Cyril Ramaphosa | February 15, 2018 | Present | African National Congress (ANC) |
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Who Was South Africa’s First Black President?
South Africa’s first black president was Nelson Mandela. He was elected after the historic democratic elections of 1994, which was the end of apartheid and racial segregation.
Mandela’s inauguration took place on May 10, 1994, in Pretoria, and it was watched by a global audience of about one billion people.
The ceremony was attended by four thousand guests, including world leaders from different backgrounds and regions.
Mandela became the head of a Government of National Unity, which included members from different political parties, including the African National Congress (ANC), the National Party, and Inkatha.
This coalition government promoted national reconciliation in a country that had been divided along racial lines for decades.
During his presidency, Mandela healed the wounds of apartheid, promoting unity and working towards a peaceful coexistence between South Africa’s various racial and ethnic groups.
He adopted a policy of forgiveness, reaching out to former adversaries, including the country’s white population, to help build a new, inclusive nation known as the “Rainbow Nation.”
Who Is The Current President Of South Africa?
The current president of South Africa is Cyril Ramaphosa. He became president on February 15, 2018, after the resignation of Jacob Zuma.
Ramaphosa was elected unopposed by the National Assembly, and his inauguration took place at the presidential guesthouse, Tuynhuys, where he took the oath of office administered by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.
After taking office, Ramaphosa’s leadership brought positive reactions in the financial markets, with stocks rising and the South African rand strengthening.
On February 16, 2018, he delivered his first State of the Nation Address, talking about the need to grow South Africa’s economy, increase tourism, create more jobs for young people, and reduce the size of the Cabinet.
His speech received mostly positive feedback from opposition parties, who appreciated his vision but also vowed to hold him accountable. During his presidency, Ramaphosa prioritized land reform, youth employment, and economic growth.
He introduced initiatives like the Youth Employment Service (YES) to provide work opportunities for young people and pushed for changes in the country’s energy policies to address the ongoing electricity crisis.
In 2019, Ramaphosa was elected to his first full term as president after leading the African National Congress (ANC) to victory in the general elections.
In June 2024, Ramaphosa was re-elected for a second term, with support from opposition parties after the ANC lost its majority. His second inauguration was held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Ramaphosa has also played a big part in international affairs, supporting initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area and advocating for peace in global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine.
His government has taken steps to formalize the cannabis industry and tackle challenges in education and sanitation in South Africa’s poorest schools.
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Who Is The Current Deputy President Of South Africa?
The current Deputy President of South Africa is Paul Mashatile. He was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa after the resignation of David Mabuza. Ramaphosa gave Mashatile several responsibilities after his appointment.
These included becoming the Leader of Government Business in the South African Parliament, Chairperson of the South African National Aids Council, and Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa.
Mashatile was also appointed as a special envoy to South Sudan. In March 2024, Mashatile stepped in for President Ramaphosa at an event, the Proudly South African Presidential Localization Dinner, held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Mashatile also made a visit to the United Kingdom to meet with government officials, business executives, and representatives of small and medium-sized businesses (SMMEs).
The purpose of this trip was to attract investors to South Africa, helping the country’s economy grow and create more job opportunities.
