Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, born on November 17, 1952, in Soweto, Johannesburg, is a prominent South African politician, businessman, and the fifth democratically elected President of South Africa, having assumed office on February 15, 2018. He is known for his significant role in the fight against apartheid, his leadership in the African National Congress (ANC), and his success in the business world.

Ramaphosa's early life was marked by the harsh realities of apartheid South Africa. He attended Tshilidzi Primary School and Sekano Ntoane High School in Soweto before enrolling at the University of the North (Turfloop) to study law. It was here that he became actively involved in student politics, joining the South African Students Organization (SASO) and the Black People's Convention (BPC). His political activities led to multiple detentions by the apartheid government, which only solidified his resolve to fight for justice and equality.

In the 1980s, Ramaphosa emerged as a leading figure in the trade union movement, a critical front in the struggle against apartheid. He was instrumental in the founding of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in 1982, becoming its first General Secretary. Under his leadership, NUM grew rapidly, becoming one of the most powerful unions in South Africa and playing a pivotal role in the broader anti-apartheid struggle, particularly in organizing major strikes and labor actions that challenged the apartheid regime.

Ramaphosa's influence within the ANC grew as he was appointed as the head of the ANC's negotiation team during the crucial transition period from apartheid to democracy in the early 1990s. He played a key role in the negotiations that led to the dismantling of apartheid and the drafting of South Africa's new constitution, often regarded as one of the most progressive in the world. His work during this period earned him international recognition, and he was considered a strong candidate to succeed Nelson Mandela as the country's president.

However, Ramaphosa was passed over in favor of Thabo Mbeki, which led him to temporarily step away from frontline politics and enter the business world. His business career was highly successful, with Ramaphosa holding positions in some of South Africa's largest companies, including as executive chairman of Shanduka Group, a company he founded that had investments in various sectors such as mining, real estate, and financial services. His business acumen made him one of the wealthiest individuals in South Africa, although his wealth has also been a point of controversy, especially in a country marked by stark economic inequalities.

Ramaphosa returned to politics in the mid-2000s, and his political career saw a significant resurgence when he was elected Deputy President of the ANC in 2012 and subsequently appointed Deputy President of South Africa in 2014 under President Jacob Zuma. His tenure as Deputy President was marked by efforts to combat corruption, promote economic reform, and stabilize the ANC, which had been plagued by internal divisions and scandals.

In 2017, Ramaphosa was elected President of the ANC, positioning him as the likely successor to President Zuma, who was facing increasing pressure to resign due to widespread allegations of corruption. Ramaphosa's presidency began in 2018 after Zuma's resignation, and his tenure has been characterized by efforts to root out corruption, revitalize the economy, and restore public confidence in government institutions. However, his presidency has also faced significant challenges, including slow economic growth, high unemployment, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ramaphosa's leadership style is often described as cautious and pragmatic, with a strong emphasis on consensus-building and reconciliation. He remains a key figure in South Africa's ongoing journey toward social and economic justice.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyril_Ramaphosa