President Ramaphosa is celebrating his 72nd birthday today, 17 November 2024. He arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday evening, 16 November.
President’s early years
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa was born on 17 November 1952 in Johannesburg. He attended Tshilidzi Primary School in Soweto and completed high school at Mphaphuli High School in Sibasa, Venda in 1971.
While studying law, he became involved in student politics. He joined the South African Student Organisation (SASO) and the Black People’s Convention (BPC). Authorities detained him twice – for 11 months in 1974 for organising pro-Frelimo rallies, and a second time for six months in 1976 following the Soweto student uprising.
While working as a law clerk, he continued his studies through the University of South Africa (UNISA) and obtained his B. Proc degree in 1981.
He led mineworkers in one of the biggest strikes in South Africa’s history in 1987.
When did Ramaphosa become a Member of Parliament?
Following South Africa’s first democratic elections on 27 April 1994, Ramaphosa became a Member of Parliament. He was responsible for overseeing the drafting of South Africa’s internationally acclaimed first democratic Constitution.
In December 2012, he was elected ANC Deputy President and on 25 May 2014, he was appointed Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa. In December 2017, he was elected as the 13th ANC President.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in as President of the Republic of South Africa on 15 February 2018 following the resignation of President Jacob Zuma.
Why is Ramaphosa in Brazil?
President Ramaphosa is currently in Brazil to lead South Africa’s participation at the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit taking place in Rio de Janeiro between 18 and 19 November 2024. He will participate in the launch of the Leveraging the Potential of Renewables – The Road to Johannesburg Campaign today.
The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. It comprises 19 countries and two regional bodies: the European Union and the African Union.
Tomorrow, at the commencement of the Leaders’ Summit, Ramaphosa will deliver South Africa’s statements at the respective plenary sessions on the fight against hunger and poverty and later on the reform of the institutions of global governance.
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