Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa was born on November 17, 1952 in Johannesburg. As of June 2024, he will be 71 years old. His early life was marked by significant relocations and challenges. In 1962, his family moved from Western Native Township to Soweto. There, he attended Tshilidzi Primary School and later completed high school at Mphaphuli High School in Sibasa, Venda in 1971.
Ramaphosa’s education journey continued at the University of the North in 1972. He studied law and became actively involved in student politics. He joined the South African Student Organisation (SASO) and the Black People’s Convention (BPC). His political activities led to him being held in solitary confinement for 11 months in 1974 under Section 6 of the Terrorism Act, as he was accused of organising pro-Frelimo rallies. In 1976, he was again detained for six months following the Soweto student uprising.
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How did his career develop?
While working as a law clerk in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa continued his studies through the University of South Africa (UNISA), earning a B. Proc degree in 1981. He then joined the Council of Unions of South Africa (CUSA) as a legal adviser.
In 1982, CUSA urged Ramaphosa to found the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) along with James Motlatsi and Elijah Barai. He became the union’s first general secretary. Under his leadership, the NUM grew significantly, with membership increasing from 6,000 to 300,000. He led one of the largest strikes in South African history in 1987.
What was his role in the anti-apartheid movement?
As NUM secretary-general, Ramaphosa played a key role in the founding of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). He also contributed to the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM), when COSATU allied itself with the United Democratic Front (UDF) against the apartheid regime. In July 1986, he went into hiding after a state of emergency was declared.
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Ramaphosa was appointed chairman of the reception committee for the Rivonia trials and accompanied released ANC political prisoners to Lusaka, Zambia, in January 1990. He coordinated Nelson Mandela’s release and subsequent welcoming rallies across South Africa.
How did he come into politics?
After the ban on the ANC was lifted, Ramaphosa was elected secretary-general of the ANC in 1991. He led the ANC’s negotiating team at the Conference on a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) and the multiparty talks that followed.
Following South Africa’s first democratic elections on April 27, 1994, Ramaphosa became a member of Parliament and was elected president of the Constituent Assembly. He oversaw the drafting of South Africa’s first democratic constitution, for which he was awarded the National Order of the Baobab in Silver in 2009.
How was his professional career?
After completing the constitution drafting process, Ramaphosa left parliament and the post of ANC secretary-general and entered the business world. He joined New Africa Investments Limited and in 2001 founded the Shanduka Group, a black-owned investment holding company.
In 2004, he founded the Shanduka Foundation, now known as the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation. The foundation focuses on education and small business development, including the Adopt-a-School Foundation, Black Umbrella, and the Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust. He co-chairs the advisory board of the Kagiso Shanduka Trust, which partners with the Free State Department of Education to develop schools.
What are his major achievements and roles?
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Ramaphosa has served on a number of boards, including Shanduka’s investee companies and others. He was part of the United Nations Global Leadership Group advising on business and human rights. He received the Olof Palme Prize in 1987 and was a visiting professor of law at Stanford University in 1991.
He holds honorary doctorates from several universities and is Chancellor of the University of Mpumalanga. Ramaphosa was the first Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Business Council and Vice-Chairman of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS.
How did he come back to politics?
Ramaphosa was appointed deputy chairman of the National Planning Commission in 2010. In December 2012, he was elected deputy president of the ANC and was appointed deputy president of South Africa on 25 May 2014.
He was elected as the 13th ANC President in December 2017. On 15 February 2018, Ramaphosa was sworn in as President of South Africa following the resignation of Jacob Zuma.
What is his legacy?
Cyril Ramaphosa’s journey from student activist to President of South Africa reflects his commitment to social justice, economic development and democratic governance. His leadership as he tackles the challenges of his presidency continues to shape South Africa’s future.
Source: https://hmiendongsaigon.edu.vn
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