Cyril Ramaphosa sworn in as South Africa’s president

Cyril Ramaphosa, head of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has been sworn in as South Africa’s president, fewer than 24 hours after the resignation of embattled ex-leader Jacob Zuma.

« I’ll try very onerous not to disappoint the people of South Africa, » Ramaphosa stated on Thursday as he ended his speech to parliament, shortly after ANC politicians elected him.

Zuma’s nine-yr presidency got right here to an end on Wednesday, when the 75-yr-inclined launched that he would sign an ANC suppose and stand down earlier than a scheduled no-self assurance vote in opposition to him in parliament.

His resignation in a televised address to the nation got right here after weeks of strain to step down attributable to lengthy-standing corruption allegations.

The election of Ramaphosa became largely ceremonial, with no other candidates set apart forward for the presidency.

South Africa’s two main opposition events, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Financial Freedom Fighters (EFF), refused to vote for Ramaphosa, who served as deputy president under Zuma.

A quantity of EFF members also left the parliamentary chamber as proceedings started.

The EFF has known as for the dissolution of parliament and fresh elections, citing no faith within the ANC authorities who they accuse of shielding Zuma.

Focal level on corruption

But in his address to parliament, Ramaphosa pledged to work with the opposition and form out corruption whereas ending his predecessor’s term, which ends with elections next yr.

« Walk away 2019 apart, allow us to address basically the most modern moment and work together on how we’re going to toughen the lives of our people, in want to grandstanding, » Ramaphosa suggested the members of parliament.

« Elements that must end with corruption, of how we can straighten out our lisp-owned enterprises and the way we address lisp pick are on our radar. »

Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller, reporting from Johannesburg, stated Ramaphosa’s speech became liable to be properly received by many South Africans.

« He spoke about performing in parliament in future to allege his accountability to the House and the nation, » Miller stated.

This marked a exchange of direction from Zuma, Miller added, « who on the total dodged parliamentary questions and refused to answer to any inquiries into authorities decisions clearly ».