Cyril Ramaphosa has replaced Zuma as ANC leader
Odds Build up Against Zuma 2019 Ambition
The corruption and sexual misconduct allegations against President Jacob Zuma of South Africa are coming at his odd times. Zuma’s arch political rival within the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), Cyril Ramaphosa, is riding on the crest of those odds
Zuma is preparing for his second term election in 2019 but the odds are building up against him. Ramaphosa has been elected the leader of the party on Monday, effectively replacing Zuma.
Ramaphosa has pledged to fight corruption and pursue a policy of “radical economic transformation”, which Zuma is adjudged unable to accomplish.
Closing the party’s conference on Monday, Ramaphosa said tackling unemployment and poverty should also be key party policies.
He is in a strong position to become president at elections in 2019.
“This conference has resolved that corruption must be fought with the same intensity and purpose that we fight poverty, unemployment and inequality,” he told delegates at the end of the five-day conference.
“We must also act fearlessly against alleged corruption and abuse of office within our ranks.”
He said that the party had approved the seizure of land without compensation, but he cautioned against undermining the economy and food production.
The following is a brief history of Ramaphos, according to BBC: Born in Soweto, Johannesburg, in 1952
- Detained in 1974 and 1976 for anti-apartheid activities
- Launched the National Union of Mineworkers in 1982
- Chairman of the National Reception Committee which prepared for Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in 1990
- Became an MP and chairman of constitutional assembly in 1994
- Moved full-time into business in 1997, becoming one of South Africa’s richest businessmen
- On the board of mine-owners Lonmin during 2012 Marikana massacre of striking miners
- Became South Africa’s deputy president in 2014
- Elected ANC leader in 2017