SOUTH Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa celebrated the formation of a broad coalition government as a ‘beginning of a new era’ during his swearing-in ceremony for a second full term on Wednesday.
‘The formation of a government of national unity is a moment of profound significance. It is the beginning of a new era,’ Ramaphosa, 71, stated after last month’s general elections produced no outright winner for the first time in 30 years.
The swearing-in took place at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, with Chief Justice Raymond Zondo officiating the ceremony.
Last week, lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to re-elect Ramaphosa after he agreed to form a national unity government with several other parties.
Ramaphosa’s first term saw the economy struggle, plagued by power cuts, rising crime rates, and unemployment soaring to 32.9 percent.
