CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA AUGUST 31, 2017: Mmusi Maimane (DA Leader) during the National Assembly meeting on August 31, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Jacob Zuma address the MPs for the first time since the failed motion of no confidence in his leadership, and answers questions from DA leader Mmusi Maimane and other MP members concerning state capture and his plans for the controversial nuclear build programme. (Photo by Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA AUGUST 31, 2017: Mmusi Maimane (DA Leader) during the National Assembly meeting on August 31, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Jacob Zuma address the MPs for the first time since the failed motion of no confidence in his leadership, and answers questions from DA leader Mmusi Maimane and other MP members concerning state capture and his plans for the controversial nuclear build programme. (Photo by Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)
It’s official – We now have President Ramaphosa replacing Jacob Zuma, following a Parliamentary session on Thursday afternoon.
However, he was given a rather stern warning by the opposition parties, who collectively told him to represent South Africa in a better manner than his predecessor did.
It was Mmusi Maimane who delivered the day’s strongest message, though. He directly addressed the ANC as whole, criticising their lax approach to removing Jacob Zuma after condoning years of his corruption and malpractice:
Watch Maimane issue warning to President Ramaphosa
Mmusi Maimane addresses Cyril Ramaphosa
MUST WATCH: Mmusi Maimane addresses Cyril Ramaphosa in Parliament after his election as President of the Republic of South Africa.
Posted by Democratic Alliance on Thursday, 15 February 2018
“Act in South Africa’s interests, and we’ll co-operate. Many people ask what SA’s challenges have been in last nine years. It is erroneous to just say ‘Jacob Zuma’.”
“The ANC couldn’t tell him what he did wrong. Thanks to them, he was accounted for on Nkandla. His party defended him against all motions of no confidence, and backed him in the face of numerous corruption allegations.”
“So we don’t have a Jacob Zuma problem here; we have an ANC problem. We must get a fresh mandate for South Africa. Mr Ramaphosa, I wish you strength, and I will see you in 2019 at the ballot box.”
What next for Cyril Ramaphosa?
Cyril Ramaphosa will now lead the ANC into the 2019 elections, and can begin his own work to implement his vision for the whole of the country. He has a busy week ahead of him, too.
On Friday, he will lead the State of the Nation (SONA) address off 2018, before engaging in the SONA debate on Monday 19 February. He then will be required to attend the Budget Speech 2018 on Wednesday 21 February, and prepare to react and respond to the feedback that comes his way.
Make no mistake, although the atmosphere in Parliament was relatively jovial (once the EFF had left early), there was still one clear message shining through: Don’t screw this up, Cyril.
