South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in for his second term on Wednesday after a challenging election last month.
He received a 21-gun salute, military fly-bys, and an honor parade from servicemen.
Ramaphosa secured his position by gaining the majority of votes in parliament, with support from members of the African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance (DA), and other parties.
This election marked the first time the ANC failed to secure a majority since the 29th May election, as other parties like Zuma’s uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK), Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and the DA increased their presence in parliament.
Ramaphosa won in Parliament against a surprise candidate, Julius Malema of the EFF, receiving 283 votes to Malema’s 44 in the 400-member house.
South Africa faces significant challenges, including high levels of unemployment, inequality, and violent crime.
The ANC, the party of Nelson Mandela, had ruled with a majority since the end of apartheid in 1994. However, it lost its 30-year majority in the recent election, a turning point for the country, amid widespread discontent over poverty, inequality, and unemployment.
Analysts warn of potential complications ahead due to the differing ideologies of the ANC, a former liberation movement, and the centrist, business-friendly DA, which won 21% of the vote in the national election, behind the ANC’s 40%.