Ramaphosa is widely expected to remain president after Wednesday’s vote.
President Cyril Ramaphosa waves to the crowd at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg during the African National Congress’s final rally before Wednesday’s elections. By Max Bearak Max Bearak Africa bureau chief based in Nairobi Email Bio Follow May 7 at 7:00 AM JOHANNESBURG — Cyril Ramaphosa is South Africa’s most popular leader since Nelson Mandela, and come elections on Wednesday, it would take a huge upset for him to be voted out of office.
“Present-day South Africa is a society founded around revolutionary ideas. It understands itself as carrying out an incomplete transformation that began in 1994,” said Jonny Steinberg, a South African writer and political commentator, referring to the year South Africa ended apartheid.
By the time he rejoined politics in 2017, corruption scandals surrounding Zuma had broken the ANC into factions. Ramaphosa led a faction that called for Zuma’s replacement and won in an internal vote. He swiftly approved a judicial inquiry into Zuma’s alleged wrongdoings and fired ministers and heads of state-owned institutions that he asserted were being mismanaged.
Economic woes have driven voters to opposition parties in large enough numbers for large cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria and Port Elizabeth to slip out of the ANC’s grasp. Average income in South Africa is less today than it was five years ago. “At least he is rich enough that he won’t need to steal like the rest of them,” said Mohlala, who plans to vote for the Democratic Alliance.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cyril Ramaphosa must start his reforms within the ANCThroughout South Africa, violence is regularly meted out by one faction of the ANC party against another
Read more »
South Africa's Ramaphosa faces obstacles to reformEven with a decisive election victory for South Africa’s ruling party this week,...
Read more »
Frustration over South African racial disparities builds as poll nearsAfter a decade of living in a tiny corrugated iron shack, Nyani Moloi was ecstat...
Read more »
Factbox: South African athlete Semenya loses appeal against testosterone ruleThe Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal by South Africa...
Read more »
Anger at corruption dents faith in South African president, ANC before pollStruggling farmer Meshack Ncongwane was a life-long supporter of South Africa&0...
Read more »
Young South Africans Chafe Under the Party Mandela BuiltSouth Africa's 'born free' generation, born since Mandela became president in 1994, have known little but poverty and marginalization since apartheid ended. Their disaffection is a brewing crisis for the ruling party.
Read more »
'I need help': Pete Buttigieg confronts lack of African American support in South CarolinaIt was clear the moment Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg took the mic in Orangeburg that the South Bend, Indiana, mayor has a problem in South Carolina
Read more »
Burger King takes on McDonald's with a range of 'unhappy' mealsBurger King has launched a range of burger meals that focus on 'real' moods. The fast-food chain introduced a range of boxed deals it's calling 'Real Meals,' including the Pissed Meal, Blue Meal, Salty Meal, Yaaas Meal and DGAF (Don't Give a F---) Meal as part of Mental Health Awareness Month in May. The deal includes a Whopper sandwich, french fries and a drink.
Read more »
South Sudan agrees oil exploration deal with South AfricaSouth Sudan and South Africa on Monday signed a six-year production-sharing agre...
Read more »