Ramaphosa takes over from Zuma as party president

China Daily | Updated: 2017-12-20 09:19

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's ruling African National Congress elected Cyril Ramaphosa to replace Jacob Zuma as the party's president for the next five years.

Ramaphosa narrowly beat Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, 68, a former cabinet minister and Zuma's ex-wife, in Monday's vote.

Ramaphosa, a 65-year-old union leader who became a businessman and is now one of South Africa's richest people, is likely to become the country's next president after elections in 2019.

He has promised to fight rampant corruption and revitalize the economy, a message hailed by foreign investors.

"We expect economic reforms under Ramaphosa, boost for business confidence and creditable leadership. Under Ramphosa's administration we expect investor and business confidence to increase," said Peter Draper, managing director of Tutwa Consulting.

During his addresses before election, Ramaphosa spoke against state capture and corruption. He called for the country to quickly address the state capture allegations by appointing the Judiciary Commission to investigate it and arrest those involved in corruption.

He also called for the recovery of the money lost in the state capture and corruption to be used for developmental purposes.

"We expect the markets to welcome his win and also the rand to respond positively to that by strengthening in value. We also expect Ramaphosa to continue with the Pan Africanist foreign policy, continue dealing with China, BRICS and the West. We expect him to have a friendly stance on his foreign policy. He has a good stature locally and internationally," Draper said.

The Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu, said the elected leaders should work to unite and grow the party.

"Unity is not an option for any cadre, it's a must. It's not about an individual but about an organization which translate to the people of South Africa. We cannot afford to have ANC going down," Zulu said.

In other election results, the Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza was elected deputy president after beating the Human Settlements Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu. Paul Mashatile becomes the party's treasurer general after beating the International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

The former ANC General Secretary Gwede Mantashe beat the Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa to become the national party chairperson, while Ace Magashule was elected the party general secretary after beating Senzo Mchunu. Jessie Duarte who was the party deputy general secretary was retained in the same post after beating Zingiswa Losi.

Xinhua - Reuters