Election

Mandela's favoured heir Ramaphosa takes power in South Africa

He's been dubbed over the years as the best leader South Africa never had

bloomberg

16.02.2018

After missing out two decades ago on becoming president, as Nelson Mandela had hoped he would be, Cyril Ramaphosa, 65, finally took power a day after Jacob Zuma resigned following 10 days of sustained pressure from the ruling African National Congress.

Ramaphosa's election by the National Assembly crowns a career during which he founded the biggest mineworkers' union, led talks that ended apartheid and produced the nation's first democratic constitution, and amassed a fortune during a 14-year stint in business. He was chosen as the ANC's deputy leader on Zuma’s ticket in 2012, and assured his ascension to the presidency by winning the top party post in December.